On March 21, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) published Ordinance No. 665, which officially recognizes the state of Minas Gerais as free from foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination, along with other Brazilian states. According to the State Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Minas Gerais, this achievement represents a historic milestone for Minas, which since the 1970s had been obliged to immunize its herd twice a year against the disease.
Mapa’s recognition confirms that the foot-and-mouth disease virus is not circulating in Minas Gerais, reinforcing the state government’s commitment to guaranteeing animal health, which has a direct impact on protecting the population and the state’s economy.
Furthermore, this recognition brings reliability to animal products from Minas Gerais, positioning the state as a region that prioritizes the health of its herd. This not only values local production, but also generates savings for producers, who will no longer need to bear the costs of immunizations and hiring specialized personnel to administer the vaccines.
Another important aspect of this recognition is the positive impact on foreign markets. With certification free from foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination, Minas Gerais producers gain access to more business opportunities, since many countries require this condition to import products of animal origin. This can boost business expansion and attract investment to the state.
The expectation is that, by 2025, Minas Gerais will achieve the status of free from foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination granted by the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO), which would further consolidate the state’s international recognition.
Ordinance No. 665 also establishes strict measures to ensure the maintenance of this sanitary status. It prohibits the storage, sale and use of vaccines against the disease in Minas Gerais, as well as the entry of vaccinated animals from other regions. Furthermore, it regulates the transport of animals destined for other states, requiring the adoption of specific sanitary measures.
As part of the process of maintaining this recognition, the Minas Gerais Agricultural Institute (IMA) calls on producers in the state to participate in the herd update campaign, which takes place from May 1st to June 30th. It is essential that producers regularly report their herd data, ensuring the necessary updating for the international claim to be free from foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination.
