Chile Recognises Argentina's FMD Free Status
CHILE - Chile has recognised Argentina as a country free from foot and mouth disease with vaccination.In an official letter from the Chilean Cattle Agricultural Service (SAG) to Jorge Amaya, the head of the Argentinean National Health and Agro-alimentary Service (SENASA), Chile said that it recognised the FMD free status.
The move means that Chile can now import ground meat, and hamburgers as well as meat cuts of the bone.
Chile had already recognised the regions north of the Colorado and Barrancas rivers as FMD free back in October.
SENASA said that now by publishing the recognition of the FMD free status in the Official Journal of Chile, doors could open to increase the amount of beef products exported from Argentina.
Between January and November last year, Argentina exported 50,713 tonnes of beef products to Chile worth more than US$156 million.
In line with the guidelines from the World Animal Health Organisation, OIE, Argentina had already extended its FMD free zone without vaccination to the northern part of Patagonia in Neuquen and Rio Negro. Chubut, Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego already had internationally recognised FMD free status.
"In this way, the country continues to consolidate its international position in animal health, as Argentina is free of BSE, Classical Swine Fever, Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease," said a SENASA spokesman.