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<h1>Brazil Declared Foot-and-Mouth Disease Free Without Vaccination</h1>
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<p id="caption-attachment-146642" class="wp-caption-text">Cattle in a Brazilian feedlot</p>
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<p>Brazil has been officially declared Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) free without vaccination by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), a milestone reached after years of dedicated eradication efforts. This achievement presents significant opportunities for Brazil’s beef industry, specifically in accessing high-value markets such as Japan, Korea, and the European Union for the first time.</p>
<p>For over three decades, Brazil faced restrictions from international markets like Australia and the US, which imposed biosecurity bans due to FMD concerns. While Brazilian beef will likely be competitively priced, its ability to thrive in quality-sensitive markets, especially within the premium chilled beef sector, remains uncertain, according to trade experts.</p>
<h2>A New Era for Brazilian Beef</h2>
<p>With this declaration, Brazil joins a group of 42 nations recognized as FMD-free without vaccination, including major beef-exporting countries such as Australia, the US, and Canada. This announcement coincided with the annual WOAH conference in Paris, where Brazil's chief veterinary officer underscored the importance of this certification.</p>
<p>The Brazilian President is set to commemorate this achievement in a formal ceremony on June 6, alongside WOAH Director General Emmanuelle Soubeyran. As the world’s largest beef exporter, Brazil shipped 2.9 million tonnes of beef last year, but remains heavily reliant on one market—China, which absorbs about half of its exports.</p>
<h3>Reinforcing Global Reputation</h3>
<p>Roberto Perosa, President of the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association, described the FMD-free status as a “game-changing moment” that enhances Brazil’s international standing and strengthens its leverage in global negotiations.</p>
<h3>Emerging Markets</h3>
<p>The new certification opens doors for trade with countries like the Philippines and Indonesia, which are exploring the import of beef offal. Japan is expected to send a delegation to Brazil next month to discuss potential trade protocols, though access to both Korea and Japan may take some time to finalize.</p>
<h2>Advanced Animal Health Strategies</h2>
<p>Brazil’s transition to FMD-free status without vaccination is unprecedented for a country of its size, with previous occurrences limited to regions with much smaller livestock numbers. In May of last year, Brazil concluded its final vaccination campaign and initiated a series of biosecurity and surveillance measures to transition to this new status, ahead of its 2026 target.</p>
<p>WOAH's endorsement follows extensive assessments of Brazil’s health systems, border controls, and disease surveillance infrastructure. This achievement signifies that Brazil’s livestock health standards have reached levels comparable to those of developed countries.</p>
<h3>Market Opportunities and Growth Potential</h3>
<p>In 2022, Brazil exported nearly $13 billion in beef to a variety of markets beyond China, including the US and regions in the Middle East. This expanded market access is expected to stimulate growth within the Brazilian livestock sector, benefiting both small-scale producers and large agribusinesses.</p>
<h2>Traceability and Transparency Aspirations</h2>
<p>Despite achieving FMD-free status, Brazil still lacks a comprehensive individual animal traceability system. Plans are in place to implement traceability for its vast 235 million head beef herd by 2032, aligning with increasing global transparency demands and the upcoming European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).</p>
<p>Minister Carlos Fávaro announced that the traceability platform is expected to be operational by 2027, amid growing consumer interest in the origins and treatment of beef. This initiative may also bolster Brazil's livestock sector by addressing concerns related to sustainable certifications in halal meat exports to Muslim-majority countries.</p>
<h2>Challenges Ahead</h2>
<p>Achieving and maintaining an FMD-free status poses several challenges, particularly with Brazil's extensive geographical diversity and porous borders with FMD-affected countries. Stringent ongoing monitoring and biosecurity measures will be vital in preventing the reintroduction of the virus into Brazil’s livestock population.</p>
<p>Dr. Felipe Masiero Salvarani of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine emphasizes the importance of sustainability and biosecurity in safeguarding Brazil's beef reputation and trade dynamics in the future.</p>
<h3>Historical Context</h3>
<p>Brazil has battled FMD since the early 20th century, implementing vaccination programs in the 1950s. The recent achievement of FMD-free status without vaccination is the culmination of years of strategic planning and investment in animal health infrastructure.</p>
<p>As Brazil navigates this crucial juncture in its livestock history, the benefits of FMD-free certification could be transformative, paving the way for increased global trade and economic prosperity in the agricultural sector.</p>
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