June 4, 2008

Ten Brazilian states receive FMD-free status

Ten Brazilian states and the Federal District would be recognised as free of foot and mouth disease with vaccination by the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE), the Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, Reinhold Stephanes, announced

The final decision on the health status of the states was expected during the 76th General Session of the OIE in Paris.

The states that will be recognised as free of FMD with vaccination are Bahia, Espirito Santo, Goias,
Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Parana, Rio De Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins and the Federal District.

According to the Secretary for Agricultural Security, Inacio Kroetz, this is the first time so much of the country has been recognised as free from FMD since October 2005.

Kroetz said that the Scientific Commission on Animal Health had called for clarification on the State of the Mato Grosso do Sul, another major agricultural state.

This information will be assessed in July when the health status of the state will be announced.