Brazil has been officially recognised as free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without the use of vaccination. The announcement was made during the 92nd General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), held in Paris. The recognition, which applies to the country’s entire territory, is seen as a major boost to Brazil’s livestock sector. Bolivia also received the same status.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Carlos Fávaro attended the official ceremony on June 6 in Paris, where Brazil was formally certified as FMD-free without vaccination. The certification confirms that the entire country is now free of the highly contagious livestock disease without relying on vaccines, a major achievement for a country with over 234 million cattle.
This recognition is expected to enhance Brazil’s position in the global meat market and open new doors for exports. It also strengthens international trust in Brazil as a safe and reliable supplier of animal products. officials highlight that the certification will boost sustainable development, support economic growth, and contribute to global food security.
The achievement comes after years of efforts by Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock under National Foot-and-Mouth Disease Surveillance Program. The programme, developed in partnership with federal and state authorities and the livestock sector, involved strategic investments in modernising veterinary services, upgrading surveillance systems, and transitioning from zones with vaccination to zones free without vaccination. A key part of the strategy was ensuring veterinary coverage in over 85% of the country’s municipalities, including remote and hard-to-reach areas.
WOAH, which operates under the World Trade Organization since 1998, officially recognises countries that meet strict animal health standards. Its recognition plays an important role in boosting trade and supporting veterinary services worldwide. Countries that achieve disease-free status are celebrated each year during WOAH’s General Session.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a severe and highly contagious viral illness that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, causing fever and painful blisters. It significantly impacts milk and meat production and restricts trade.
For decades, vaccination was the primary tool to control foot-and-mouth disease, making Brazil’s achievement of FMD-free status without vaccination a significant breakthrough. WOAH’s official recognition is not just a win for trade, it also strengthens local economies and safeguards livelihoods across the country
