Goiás celebrates one year of official recognition as free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination

The state of Goiás celebrates, this Tuesday (03/25), one year of official recognition as free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination. The achievement, announced in 2024 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa), through Ordinance No. 665, represents a historic milestone for livestock farming in Goiás, as it opens up new opportunities for the productive sector in the international market and reinforces the state's commitment to animal health.

To achieve recognition, Goiás first had to comply with a series of health actions provided for in the Strategic Plan of the National Foot-and-Mouth Disease Surveillance Program (PE/PNEFA), established by MAPA. All requirements and guidelines of the PNEFA were met, resulting in the withdrawal of immunization more than two years ago. The last herd vaccination campaign against the disease took place in November 2022.

The president of the Goiás Agricultural Defense Agency (Agrodefesa), José Ricardo Caixeta Ramos, highlights that in recent years, Goiás has further consolidated its position as a reference in national livestock farming, with emphasis on the strengthening of health monitoring and epidemiological surveillance actions.

“Vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease is no longer carried out in the state, but surveillance work is ongoing. The Government of Goiás, through Agrodefesa, remains committed to complying with the guidelines set forth in the PNEFA. The Agency is developing measures such as intensifying surveillance at state borders, implementing educational actions with livestock farmers and improving livestock traceability systems. These are fundamental actions to ensure the maintenance of this health status,” he emphasizes.

The head of the Agency also emphasizes that this recognition is the result of hard and continuous work between the agricultural defense agency and rural producers. “The withdrawal of vaccination was a strategic step for livestock farming in Goiás. With its consolidated health status, Goiás is increasingly competitive on the international scene, which increases opportunities for exporting beef and other agricultural products,” he says.

In addition to enabling the expansion of the international market for livestock farming in Goiás in countries that impose stricter health requirements, the status of a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone without vaccination contributes to the greater appreciation of agricultural products in Goiás and the reduction of costs for livestock farmers, since there is no longer a need to purchase vaccines.

Next step: international recognition

On February 24 of this year, the Scientific Commission of the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO) approved Brazil's request for international recognition as a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone without vaccination. Despite this progress, certification still depends on final approval by WHO member countries. The result will be announced in May, in Paris, France, during the Organization's General Assembly.

According to the Director of Agricultural Defense, Rafael Vieira, the strategy now is to ensure that Goiás and the other states, already recognized nationally, also achieve the international recognition granted by the WHO. “We follow a rigorous surveillance plan, ensuring that the herd remains protected and that Goiás continues to advance in this scenario. Therefore, we believe that we will achieve international recognition in May”, he highlights.

Rafael adds that the certification of a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone is even more important for Brazil and Goiás at this time, because European countries have confirmed foot-and-mouth disease infections. After decades of controlling the disease, Germany, Slovakia and Hungary have registered cases in recent months in cattle and pigs.

“In this scenario, we have shown commitment to surveillance and monitoring work to maintain the disease-free status without the need for immunization. We are showing the world the sanitary excellence and sustainability of livestock farming in Goiás and Brazil, which is the result of joint actions between the government, producers and entities in the sector,” he concludes.