October 4, 2007

Brazil to undergo more vaccinations for FMD

Brazil's northeastern states will undergo the second phase of foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccination this month, said the Ministry of Agriculture in a press release Wednesday (October 3).

In November, states in the north, center and center-south regions are scheduled to vaccinate their herds as well.

Brazil's cattle herd totals roughly 201 million heads of steer, for which 395 million doses of vaccine will be needed in 2007, the ministry said.

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture also published new directives for the eradication and prevention of FMD, which include implementation of a health-inspection system, animal migration control, movement of beef product and subproduct control, and modernization of existing structures.

Herd health and control are basic prerequisites for Brazil's continued participation in supplying domestic and overseas markets with beef products, said the ministry.

Brazil is the world's leading beef exporter.