OIE Reviews South American Cattle Health Categorisations
SOUTH AMERICA - Cattle health concerns of Argentina and Paraguay have been relaxed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) at the 81st general session of the organisation.Headed by Marcelo Miguez, OIE President, the committee ruled that Argentina's foot and mouth disease free zone extended to the High Valleys of Calingasta in the San Juan region.
The decision follows combined efforts of both domestic animal health technicians and efforts of the Chilean authorities.
San Juan has a strategic location to the west of Argentina, bordering onto Chile. Farmers within the Calingasta valleys are expected to benefit with even goat herders expected to profiteer from the mobilisation that comes from disease improvements.
Recognition was also given for Rinderpest and FMD free status by the OIE.
Negligible risk status has been reappointed to Paraguay for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) risk.
The decision puts Paraguay alongside Slovenia, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and the US on the list of countries added to the ‘negligible risk’ list this year.
Coinciding with the announcement was a declaration that the country was free of ‘horse sickness’.
TheCattleSite News Desk