MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

OIE praises Mercosur for its coordinated effort in the eradication of FMD

OIE Director General, Dr. Bernard Vallat, the Mercosur experience an example for the rest of the world

The joint work displayed by the Standing Veterinary Commission, CVP, from the Southern Cone of the Americas for the control and eradication of foot and mouth disease, FMD, has been praised as an example for other areas in the globe by the World Organization for Animal Health, OIE

OIE Director General, Dr. Bernard Vallat and OIE president Carlos Correa pointed out that “the work displayed by Mercosur country members in combating FMD is an example for the rest of the world”.

OIE is holding its 78th annual assembly in Paris. The CVP brings together the heads of animal health departments from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Vallat also recalled that last year’s First Global Congress for the Eradication of FMD held in Asunción, Paraguay, was crucial in establishing the foundations for a global effort to eradicate the viral disease.

“The concept of ‘zone’ in the classification of different status categories has proved most efficient and this is evident in the High Vigilance Areas, ZAV along the common borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, which we pretend to practice in other parts of the world”, said Vallat.

He also underlined the importance of collaboration among countries, both those free of FMD and those infected since “what’s the use of an FMD free status if your neighbour is infected”.

The concept of ‘zone” in the eradication of FMD is proving most efficient since there are OIE members that can’t liberate their territory at the same time and the policy now is “to have an area considered free and step by step extend the zone until it covers the whole territory”.

Obviously regional organizations and cooperation among all neighbour countries is also essential for success, added the OIE chief. “Mercosur is doing an excellent job”.