Brazil Moves Step Closer to FMD Free Status
BRAZIL – Seven states of north-eastern Brazil, including the Pará region, are to be foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) free by May this year.According to the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Supply, official recognition by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) will be forthcoming in recognition for improvements stemming from $34.8 million worth of FMD eradication investments.
On-going eradication measures have been intensifying since 2008 in the hope of securing better disease status and improving livestock profitability and export prospects.
Secretary for Livestock Defense in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, Ernie Marques said that to receive a disease status up-grade, sampling and inspections have to be carried out.
“The OIE has gathered serological samples and conducted clinical inspections to assess whether the viral circulation is absence,” Mr Marques said.
The second half of 2012 saw over 71,000 animals sampled on 17,000 farms and the continuing studies are expected to stop in early May.
In Brazil
- 89 per cent of cattle and buffaloes (185 million head) are in FMD zone free areas.
- FMD free zones represent 60 per cent of the national territory.
- Brazilian FMD initiatives started in the 1960s.
- The first FMD free zone was achieved in 1998.
- 22 more regions could be added to the FMD free zone which would result in 99 per cent of land mass would be placed in ‘free’ status.
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