According to news reports, Brazil and Mexico will establish a joint agreement to facilitate trade in the event of outbreaks of avian influenza.  The proposal follows the principle of the memorandum of agreement between the U.S. and Canada relating to regionalization. 

Brazil has diagnosed cases of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in backyard and WOAH noncommercial farms and in migratory birds that miraculously has not extended to commercial flocks.

Mexico has recorded cases of avian influenza and has applied conventional depopulation in addition to vaccination as control and] preventive measures.

A containment zone under the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health would facilitate export of poultry products from Brazil to Mexico. This would establish Brazil as a viable competitor to the U.S.