On April 3rd and 4th, 2025, the 51st meeting of the South American Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (COSALFA) took place, a landmark event that represents the closing of the 2021-2025 Action Plan of the Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (PHEFA). The meeting was a significant step forward in eradicating the disease in the Americas, strengthening the systems for preventing and responding to health emergencies, and highlighting the active role of livestock farmers in this process.
Currently, many countries in the region keep their FMD-free status through large-scale vaccination plans, a strategy that reveals still-present risks. The continuance of these programs is only justified when there is tangible evidence or a significant probability of transmission or reintroduction of the virus.
In Brazil, the advancements of the national herd concerning health are remarkable. The country is advancing in consolidating its status as a nation free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination throughout its territory, reinforcing health security and the importance of the national livestock sector. Since the beginning of eradicating the disease, Brazil has undergone significant changes in livestock production, industry, trade, and the Official Veterinary Service (SVO), all of which combined resulted in a favorable sanitary condition. In 2024, Brazil declared itself free of FMD without vaccination, a crucial step towards international acknowledgment by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and proof of the quality of Brazilian livestock farming.
Brazil also plays a strategic role in Latin America, sharing technology and health protocols with other countries, promoting the standardization of practices, and strengthening regional animal health. Brazilian companies and associations invest in technical training in the region, thus raising the standard of Latin American agriculture. Moreover, the country is committed to maintaining a bank of antigens for foot-and-mouth disease, enabling a swift response in the event of outbreaks in Latin America.
The effectiveness of the Brazilian veterinary service is also reflected in controlling other diseases. The National Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Program adheres to the strict international standards set by WOAH. Since 2012, Brazil has held “negligible risk” status concerning BSE, commonly known as “mad cow disease.”
The country also stands out in preventing diseases that are global health emergencies. The African Swine Fever (ASF), for instance, ravaged Chinese pig farming in 2018. Eradicated in Brazil since 1984, the disease is the subject of strict control actions to prevent its reintroduction. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has spread globally since 2020, affecting birds on several continents – WOAH reported a significant increase in outbreaks from October 2024 to February 2025. In Brazil, there have been no confirmed cases in commercial poultry farms, reinforcing the biosecurity of our production, as well as keeping Brazil’s ranking as the world’s largest chicken meat exporter in 2024.
The next challenge facing the Brazilian livestock sector is the fight against Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis. The National Program for the Control and Eradication of Brucellosis and Animal Tuberculosis (PNCEBT), launched by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2001, seeks to reduce the impact of these zoonoses on human and animal health, as well as strengthen the competitiveness of national livestock farming. The Program sets the classification of Federal Units (states) according to health risk and implements mandatory actions, such as vaccinating calves against Brucellosis and tests for interstate animal transport. There are also voluntary initiatives, such as certifying farms free of these diseases.
Adding to the country’s health security, Brazil has a National Cattle and Buffalo Health Traceability Plan in place. Unlike export-oriented systems, this traceability focuses on health and integrates into the Ministry of Agriculture’s epidemiological surveillance actions. It aims to monitor animal movements and control diseases impacting public health and international trade. The first stage of this plan prioritizes the tagging of females, the main focus of Brucellosis and Tuberculosis eradication actions in the country.
With continuous investment in animal health, traceability, and international cooperation, Brazil is now consolidating its role as a world standard in livestock farming, thus ensuring safe and sustainable food for national and foreign markets.