MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolivia free of FMD without vaccination

The new status poses new challenges for Bolivian beef

Bolivia has been certified by the World Organization for Animal Health as free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without vaccination, a status shared only with Brazil in South America. This milestone, achieved through over 20 years of public-private efforts and a US$ 350 million investment, benefits around 200,000 livestock producers. Bolivia is to be officially granted such recognition during a ceremony on Thursday.

The certification enhances Bolivia's competitiveness in international meat markets, enabling expanded exports and contributing to global food security. However, the agricultural sector, led by figures like Klaus Frerking of the Cámara Agropecuaria del Oriente, warns that without a robust trade strategy and sanitary diplomacy, this achievement may not fully translate into economic gains. The recognition aligns with the Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of FMD, which has increased FMD-free areas in South America from 35% to 65%. Despite the progress, challenges remain, including the need for clear trade policies and ongoing government support to sustain this status and capitalize on new market opportunities.

“We are the only ones, together with Brazil, that will obtain this certification,” argued Minister of Rural Development and Lands Yamil Flores through a report. Bolivia has a track record in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease, in which approximately US$ 350 million has been invested, benefiting close to 200,000 livestock producers who own millions of heads of cattle.

Being free of FMD without vaccination means that these countries have managed to control the disease without relying exclusively on periodic vaccination of livestock, which reduces the associated costs and improves market competitiveness.

“This Thursday, May 29, Bolivia will be declared a country free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination, which will allow a greater opening of markets for animal products,” Flores noted in a statement. He defined the achievement as “the greatest recognition in animal health” and affirmed that “this status will strengthen the country's competitiveness in international markets.”

Foot-and-mouth disease has been a threat to the food security and economies of the countries of the Americas for decades. Livestock vaccination has been the main strategy for controlling outbreaks and preventing new cases, which has enabled several countries to eradicate the disease.

Once the absence of virus transmission has been verified and internal risks in a territory have been eliminated, countries can suspend vaccination.

Frerking congratulated the livestock sector for the more than 20 years of coordinated work that made it possible to achieve this status, which “positions Bolivia in a competitive scenario, but it also requires a solid institutional commitment to sustain and project it. Sanitary merit is not enough; it requires a commitment from the State to translate it into real opportunities.”

“The door is open thanks to sanitary work, but entering depends on a countrywide vision. It is time for politics to accompany the productive effort with concrete actions and long-term planning,” he added.