Brazil intensifies actions against tilapia imports
One day after the São Paulo government announced a specific tax on imported tilapia, Pernambuco announced that it is in the process of implementing strict inspection policies against fish imported from Vietnam.
The actions, announced on the 2nd and 3rd of June, were celebrated by Peixe BR, the Brazilian Fish Farming Association, as crucial victories to guarantee the competitiveness and safety of the sector in the country.
São Paulo
On Tuesday (2), the São Paulo government announced the publication of a decree that will establish a specific ICMS rate for imported tilapia fillet.
The announcement was made by state deputy Itamar Borges alongside governor Tarcísio de Freitas and members of the São Paulo government's economic and agricultural team. The initiative meets a long-standing demand from producers, who have been warning about the impacts of the growing presence of imported fish on the national market.
Pernambuco
In Pernambuco, Adagro (Pernambuco Agricultural Defense and Inspection Agency) announced the drafting of an ordinance to limit the circulation of these products in the state territory. The measure is based on the risk of introducing the TiLV virus (Tilapia Lake Virus), an endemic disease in the Asian region that could devastate local herds.
In addition, the state Legislative Assembly debates bills that aim to create traceability and health control mechanisms for imported fish.
In both cases, the objective is to protect local psychoculturists, who face severe economic pressure due to competition with foreign products.
National proposals
In Brasília, CAPADR (Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Supply and Rural Development) of the Chamber of Deputies approved, on May 28, two projects that aim to protect the Brazilian fish industry. One of the proposals prohibits the import of tilapia and other by-products and the other encourages the sustainable production, processing and commercialization of fish.
PL (Bill) 6331/25 prohibits the import of tilapia in any production phase or for reproductive purposes, including live, chilled, frozen, filleted, eviscerated, industrialized or processed specimens for human or animal consumption.
The aim of the proposal is to reduce health risks associated with infectious agents to humans, such as parasites, in addition to protecting the tilapia production chain in Brazil.
The project comprises the species Oreochromis niloticus, Oreochromis mossambicus, Oreochromis aureus, Tilapia pensalli (synonymous with Coptodon pensalli) and their hybrids.
The text also prohibits the entire chain up to the distribution of fish, such as customs clearance, circulation, distribution, storage and marketing of imported tilapia. It also prohibits the granting of licenses, permissions or authorizations to importers of the species, in addition to punishing with fines, seizure and revocation of licenses.
The second proposal, PL 6463/25, establishes guidelines to encourage the production, processing and commercialization of tilapia, in an environmentally sustainable manner, with the aim of improving economic development, preserving natural resources, in addition to generating employment and income.
The text also provides that incentives will be related to the sustainable use of water, control and mitigation of environmental impacts, respect for current legislation and encouragement of good practices.
The project comprises the species Oreochromis niloticus, Oreochromis mossambicus, Oreochromis aureus, Tilapia pensalli (synonymous with Coptodon pensalli) and their hybrids.
The text also prohibits the entire chain up to the distribution of fish, such as customs clearance, circulation, distribution, storage and marketing of imported tilapia. It also prohibits the granting of licenses, permissions or authorizations to importers of the species, in addition to punishing with fines, seizure and revocation of licenses.
The second proposal, PL 6463/25, establishes guidelines to encourage the production, processing and commercialization of tilapia, in an environmentally sustainable manner, with the aim of improving economic development, preserving natural resources, in addition to generating employment and income.
The text also provides that incentives will be related to the sustainable use of water, control and mitigation of environmental impacts, respect for current legislation and encouragement of good practices.
The two proposals are being processed conclusively, that is, they do not need to be considered in the House Plenary, unless requested. The proposal that bans the import of the species needs to go through the CCJ (Constitution, Justice and Citizenship) committee, just like the one that provides incentives for domestic production. The latter also needs approval from the CFT (Finance and Taxation).
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Source: CNN