September 8, 2010

Paraguay vaccinates about eight million cattle against FMD

"By September 3, a total of 8,283,853 cattle had been vaccinated against FMD, 74% of the 12 million Paraguayan cattle herd", said Daniel Rojas head of Paraguay's National Animal Health Service, Senacasa.

The inoculation period extends until September 15.

However, Bolivia, an associate member of Mercosur, remains a concern because "its sanitary work is deficient and puts the whole Latin American meat market at risk," added Rojas. He also mentioned that those still missing the mandatory vaccination programme are small farmers, "but so far we've had no complaints or claims of refusals to have cattle inoculated."

Rojas recalled that the fine for not complying with the law is the equivalent of US$50 per cattle. Rojas and the president of the Paraguayan Rural Association, ARP, Nestor Nuñez underlined that Bolivia remains a threat for associate members of Mercosur and for the rest of the continent because "it lacks an animal sanitary policy."

"President Lugo offered to apply in Bolivia a similar vaccination programme which is based on a government and farmers coordination effort, plus sharing all the experience we have accumulated in these years of campaigning to eradicate FMD from Paraguay. It's essential for the development of livestock and the meat industry in Mercosur that we have a continent free of FMD even if it is with vaccination, since this avoids outbreaks," said Rojas.

Moreover, Paraguayan Rural Association Vice-president German Ruiz said that the target of the farmers' sector is to have Paraguay among the world's four leading beef exporters.

"This year we expect beef sales to be above US$850 million and by 2016 we should be among the top four, if not five top exporters in the world", said Ruiz.

At present, Paraguay is among the top eight beef exporters.