Coordinated effort against FAM
Experts from Mercosur and other South American countries agreed that without a joint effort and common objectives it will be hard to eradicate foot and mouth from the continent, a cattle disease that causes terrible losses to beef exporting countries of the region. During a meeting in Santiago de Chile sponsored by the Chilean Agriculture and Livestock Service, participants from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela and the host country agreed that “eradicating FAM was urgent and top priority. The disease is alive and latent and its impact can generate terrible blows to the local economies”. Chilean delegate Carlos Parra revealed that Argentina and Chile are considering the possibility of satellite surveillance along the border to impede cattle smuggling. An operation that if successful would then be extended to other sensitive areas. Uruguayan delegate Recaredo Ugarte indicated that unless targets and objectives are not clearly defined, and simultaneously, “we will be leaving open gaps that will not ensure a successful end to the FAM eradication battle”. The meeting was held in the framework of the annual assembly of the South American FAM Office that depends from FAO.