Israeli Agriculture Ministry Halts Brazilian Chicken Imports Over Supervision Concerns

The Israeli Ministry of Agriculture has temporarily blocked the import of frozen chicken from Brazil after a reassessment of the approval process. Dr. Sergio Dolev, acting director of the Veterinary Services, informed Baladi, the Brazilian company involved, that its poultry plant was removed from the list of approved exporters due to insufficient verification of production oversight and local regulatory enforcement in Brazil. The ministry emphasized that the decision was made based on professional considerations to protect public health and animal welfare, and that a comprehensive inspection would be conducted before any future import approvals.

This move is part of a broader issue that reached the Israeli Supreme Court following a petition by Baladi regarding kosher certification procedures for imported poultry. The Chief Rabbinate highlighted the need to establish a thorough and orderly halachic and administrative process, with recommendations expected within 120 days. The court approved this timeline.

The kosher certification community welcomed the ministry's decision, viewing it as crucial to maintaining strict kosher standards and preventing rushed approvals before completing necessary halachic and veterinary inspections. They stressed the complexity of supervising poultry slaughter abroad and the importance of a rigorous supervision mechanism to protect consumers.

Baladi announced plans to pursue legal action to overturn the ministry's decision. Meanwhile, Israel's domestic poultry industry, especially in peripheral and border areas, remains a key component of national food security, with local production under strict kosher and veterinary supervision. The kosher authorities reiterated that safeguarding kosher standards and consumer protection takes precedence over commercial and legal considerations, ensuring that no product reaches the market without thorough health and halachic vetting.