 Meat lobby groups have asked the government of Paraná, Brazils largest chicken producing and exporting state, to reconsider local regulations aimed at increasing spacing between food plant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Friday. The meat lobby argues that the minimum 1.5-meter 5 feet distancing required under state norms would reduce output by as much as 43, Brazils animal protein association ABPA and two local trade groups said in the joint letter sent on July 2. Federal rules passed on June 19 dealing with operation of Brazilian slaughterhouses amid the pandemic should prevail over the state norms, the meat lobbys letter said. 