New recipients of official recognition of animal health status and endorsement of disease control programmes 

Since 1998, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has mandated the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) to officially recognise animal disease-free countries and zones. This recognition is not only significant for international trade and national livestock economies, but it acknowledges the efforts of WOAH Members in controlling animal diseases.  

Originally an honour that only recognised foot and mouth disease (FMD) free status of Members, WOAH’s official disease-free status recognition has grown to include, African horse sickness (AHS), classical swine fever (CSF), contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). WOAH recognition also includes endorsements of official programmes to manage CBPP, FMD, PPR and dog-mediated rabies. Members can apply for the official recognition of animal health status on a voluntary basis.  

Each year during its General Session, WOAH celebrates the Members that achieve disease-free status or have had their control programmes endorsed. Achieving a disease-free status can play an important role in facilitating both international and regional trade of animals and animal products. And having a disease control programme officially recognised by WOAH can help Veterinary Services secure resources from their governments to facilitate the rollout of these plans.  

This year at WOAH’s 92^nd General Session, several Members were added to the list of Members recognised for their animal health status in the entire territory or specific zones:  

• New FMD-free zones with vaccination were recognised in Argentina, the Republic of Korea and Russia  

• New zones were declared free of FMD without vaccination in Bolivia and Brazil 

• Chinese Taipei was declared free of CSF 

• Mongolia’s FMD control programme was endorsed 

• Saudi Arabia was declared free of AHS 

• Tanzania’s dog-mediated rabies control programmed was endorsed 

• Two zones in the United Kingdom were declared as having negligible BSE risk 

Recent milestones in the global fight against FMD highlight significant achievements in disease control and coordination efforts across diverse regions. Notably, the entire territories of Bolivia and Brazil have been declared free of FMD without the use of vaccination—a great feat considering the coordination necessary at local and regional levels in both countries. After withdrawal of the WOAH endorsement of Mongolia’s control programme in the past, the country has successfully managed to revise its FMD-control programme for its endorsement by WOAH. 

Bolivia’s commitment to zoning 

Boliva has adopted a progressive FMD control scheme diligently since 2010, which involves zoning and gradually obtaining an FMD-free status for each zone. “Great care was taken in defining the zones, to avoid possible conflicts in internal livestock trade,” writes Dr. Hernán Oliver Daza, WOAH Delegate and Chief Veterinary Officer for Bolivia, “This, along with respecting the progress of each stage of the progressive pathway, allowed for the initial recognition of FMD-free zones with vaccination and, in the last five years, achieving a status without vaccination at the national level.” 

Dedication to public-private partnerships has resulted in the country’s FMD-free where vaccination is not practised status; while on the other hand the use of the PVS tool in strategic planning to strengthen veterinary services in Bolivia has been and continues to be key. “We are fully aware that the change in status means maintaining many of the activities that are already in place under the current status,” explains Dr. Daza, “So, maintaining and strengthening these actions represent a national commitment in compliance with the WOAH standards, as well as the Hemispheric Foot-and-Mouth Disease Eradication Plan (PHEFA) and the cooperation of the PANAFTOSA – a WOAH Collaborating Centre in the region.”  

Cooperation across Brazil 

“The FMD-free status is extremely significant for Brazil because it represents the culmination of efforts we’ve been working toward for decades,” says Dr. Marcelo de Andrade Mota, WOAH Delegate and Director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil. Becoming FMD-free has been a long and challenging process for Brazil given the country’s size and enormous number of livestock, which includes over 234 million head of cattle. The country, split into 27 states, mobilised its national, state and municipal level veterinary system to ensure that veterinarians could be present in over 85% of Brazil’s municipalities, including remote areas.  

This FMD-free status is a huge milestone for Brazil. Livestock in South America is a critical part of the economy, and it’s not only important within the region but also for contributing to global food security. Brazil is one of the largest producers and exporters of beef, and this status ensures that we continue to contribute to feeding people worldwide.

Dr. Marcelo de Andrade Mota, WOAH Delegate and Director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil.

Mongolia strengthens FMD surveillance 

“The withdrawal of WOAH’s endorsement of Mongolia’s FMD control programme had several significant impacts,” writes Dr. Ayushjav Narantuya, WOAH Delegate and Mongolia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, “And its re-endorsement brings both immediate and long-term benefits across several areas.” These areas include enhanced trade opportunities through improved market access and stronger export competitiveness, economic gains in the livestock sector and increased international support and collaboration.  

To achieve this milestone, Mongolia worked to strengthen both its passive and active FMD surveillance activities, particularly in high-risk areas along the country’s borders and invested heavily in veterinary and inspector training with the assistance of Mongolia’s General Agency for Veterinary Services (GAVS). Through the process, the country recognised the importance of engaging its citizens. “Local ownership matters,” adds Dr Narantuya, “community involvement and trust-building are key to effective disease control.” 

WOAH recognition of animal health status strengthens local economies, promotes safe trade and represent progress in the global fight against livestock diseases. In addition, it can boost animal health across regions, protecting human health and livelihoods. Because animal health is our health. It’s everyone’s health.