health
Venezuela formalizes plan to be declared free of foot-and-mouth disease
Venezuela is firmly on track to consolidate its international health status. During the inauguration of the 70th Agricultural Fair in San Cristóbal, the Minister of Agriculture and Land, Julio León Heredia, announced the implementation of a scientific and epidemiological plan aimed at having the country formally certified as free of foot-and-mouth disease by international organizations by the end of 2026.
TL;DR
- Venezuela plans to be formally certified as foot-and-mouth disease-free by international organizations by the end of 2026.
- No cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been registered in Venezuela since 2013.
- The certification is essential for exporting Venezuelan genetics and meat globally.
- Venezuela is currently the leading producer of buffalo livestock on the continent.
- Producers are prioritizing the preservation of female cattle for herd replacement and focusing on milk and calf production over slaughter.
- There's a need for public and private banks to activate credit mechanisms to facilitate larger-scale investment in repopulating the national herd.
- The foot-and-mouth disease-free status will enable Venezuelan genetics to reach markets in Latin America and Europe.