Mike
Well-known member
FMD Outbreak Threatens Brazilian Beef Exports
Brazil's Ministry of Ag confirmed this week an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the center-western state of Mato Grosso do Sul. All the cattle -- 582 head, 153 infected -- on a farm located in the southern tip of the state near the Paraguayan border were scheduled for immediate slaughter and disposal.
By Tuesday, eight Brazilian states had banned imports of fresh and processed meats from Mato Grosso do Sul. And, federal ag ministry officials temporarily banned movement of animals and meat products within the locality of the outbreak. The ban affects 700,000 head of cattle and hundreds of cattle farmers.
With 25-million head, the state boasts Brazil's second-largest cattle herd, and more than 20% of Brazil's total beef exports. The beef from 900,000 head/year is exported to other Brazil regions or shipped directly into international commerce.
This is the first reported case of FMD in the state in six years. Last January, blood samples from a cattle herd tested positive for FMD, but further testing found them to be "false-positives" due to vaccination. Mato Grosso do Sul is currently recognized as being FMD-free with vaccination.
Brazil's Ministry of Ag confirmed this week an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the center-western state of Mato Grosso do Sul. All the cattle -- 582 head, 153 infected -- on a farm located in the southern tip of the state near the Paraguayan border were scheduled for immediate slaughter and disposal.
By Tuesday, eight Brazilian states had banned imports of fresh and processed meats from Mato Grosso do Sul. And, federal ag ministry officials temporarily banned movement of animals and meat products within the locality of the outbreak. The ban affects 700,000 head of cattle and hundreds of cattle farmers.
With 25-million head, the state boasts Brazil's second-largest cattle herd, and more than 20% of Brazil's total beef exports. The beef from 900,000 head/year is exported to other Brazil regions or shipped directly into international commerce.
This is the first reported case of FMD in the state in six years. Last January, blood samples from a cattle herd tested positive for FMD, but further testing found them to be "false-positives" due to vaccination. Mato Grosso do Sul is currently recognized as being FMD-free with vaccination.
