February 13, 2007

Brazil to set up protection zone to check FMD

The Brazilian government plans to set up a special epidemiological protection and vigilance zone in a bid to keep the spread of foot-and-mouth disease out of the country from neighbouring countries.

The aim is to allow Brazil to regain its foot-and-mouth-free status with the World Animal Health Organisation.

The Mato Grosso do Sul State Agricultural Federation (Famasul) announced the measure as a substitute for the government plan of setting up a so-called "plug zone" between Mato Grosso state and neighbouring Paraguay.

The protection zone includes the towns of Eldorado, Mundo Novo and Japora in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Brazilian beef and meat sector were hit hard due to an outbreak of FMD in the three towns in 2005.

Famasul said the plug area idea was dumped after Brazil's neighbouring countries refused to take required protection measures.