Brasilia, 22 January 2025 (IICA) – Governments across the Americas must recognize the importance of biosecurity in maintaining their agricultural exports and should therefore adequately fund public veterinary services, stated Professor James Roth, Director of the Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University, in the United States.
In an interview with Agro América, a program aired by the Brazilian TV channel AgroMais, the expert emphasized that the continent currently enjoys a strong phytosanitary status in its leading animal protein-producing and exporting countries. However, it must be prepared to respond swiftly to potential disease outbreaks to maintain the trust of its trade partners.
“We are very fortunate in this hemisphere. Canada, the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina are free from the most critical diseases that limit global trade in animal proteins. Specifically, they are free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever. This creates the conditions for exporting to many countries worldwide”, Roth said from Iowa.
He stressed, however, that maintaining high-level, well-funded public veterinary services staffed with well-trained professionals is crucial. Moreover, private-sector veterinarians must also be equipped to respond quickly to outbreaks of diseases that can spread rapidly.
The interview took place as Germany faces an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. This month, authorities in the European country reported a case affecting three water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) on a farm in Brandenburg. It was the first outbreak reported since 1988 and led to the closure of export markets.
“Biosecurity is an extremely important issue that must be taken seriously. Once a disease enters, all exports of animal products from a country are at risk”, Roth stated, noting that producers also play a crucial role: “They must understand that they need to take precautions for their own good. Only producers have the ability to keep viruses out of their facilities”.
Roth pointed out that countries like the United States and Brazil, which have achieved FMD-free status without vaccination, must be particularly cautious: “Being FMD-free without vaccination makes us very vulnerable because if the virus enters, our animals have no immunity. In the United States, we are focused on educating our veterinarians and producers to keep the disease out of our territory; if it enters, it could quickly get out of control”.
Information and Resources for Producers
The Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University was established in 2001 with the mission of enhancing national and international preparedness for the accidental or intentional introduction of diseases threatening food security and public health. It focuses on diseases affecting livestock and poultry and develops various resources in cooperation with state and federal authorities in the United States.
The Center has launched an online portal for poultry and livestock producers that offers virtual farm visits to identify disease risks and learn about necessary biosecurity measures. This free resource is available in English and Spanish.
For larger producers and traders, the “Secure Food Supply Plans” program provides biosecurity recommendations, surveillance, and resources to prevent or respond to disease outbreaks (https://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/secure-food-supply/).
For smaller producers, the Center created “Biosecurity Your Way,” which offers guidance on protecting animals and facilities (https://farmbiosecurity.cfsph.iastate.edu/es/).
Roth warned that the situation of small producers is crucial for countries’ export trade, as their animals becoming infected could jeopardize all exports.
The expert also explained that the United States has a significant stockpile of FMD vaccines and plans to continue increasing it to ensure a rapid response in case of an outbreak.
“We place great trust in Argentina’s track record in fighting FMD. Around 15 years ago, we began working with a company that meets U.S. quality standards. I participated in several visits and witnessed excellent work alongside Argentina’s National Food Safety and Quality Service (SENASA), a world-renowned reference lab for FMD. The United States relies heavily on their tests, which are essential for us since we cannot have the virus in our country even for testing purposes. This partnership ensures we have vaccines and can respond quickly if an outbreak occurs”, Roth explained.
He also addressed the issue of avian influenza, which has impacted poultry production in South American nations since 2022, and recommended heightened preventive measures in the region during the upcoming Southern Hemisphere winter. “Countries cannot afford to cut funding for public veterinary services, as this could have severe consequences for exports”, he concluded.
Agro América is a program broadcast by Brazil’s AgroMais TV channel, part of the Bandeirantes media group, produced in partnership with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
The program covers current topics in agriculture and rurality in IICA member countries, aiming to promote the exchange of experiences and discussions on the challenges and opportunities in agricultural and rural development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Watch the interview here:
More information:
Institutional Communication Division.
comunicacion.institucional@iica.int
