President Lula and Minister Fávaro Attend Ceremony in France Marking Brazil’s Recognition as Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Free Without Vaccination

On Friday, June 6, in Paris, the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro, received from the Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Emmanuelle Soubeyran, the certificate officially recognizing Brazil as a country free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without vaccination. 

This recognition, the result of over 60 years of sustained national effort, represents a historic achievement for Brazilian livestock farming. It also opens the door to new opportunities for Brazil to access the most demanding international markets. 

“This is a recognition of a country whose economy relies heavily on agribusiness and livestock farming. This certificate confirms the strength and reliability of Brazil’s agricultural health defense system,” stated President Lula. 

“This is a historic day that demonstrates the robustness of our sanitary standards and opens major commercial opportunities. Receiving the certificate of FMD-free status without vaccination is a source of national pride — the result of more than six decades of serious and dedicated work by state governments and all professionals in the sector,” said Minister Fávaro. 

According to WOAH Director General Emmanuelle Soubeyran, the certification marks a significant moment in Brazil’s history. “It is an honor and a privilege to be here today to celebrate this occasion. Brazil is ready to take the next step. This achievement is the outcome of long-term planning,” she said. 

The new status means that more than 244 million cattle and buffalo across approximately 3.2 million rural properties in Brazil will no longer be vaccinated against the disease. This will result in direct cost savings of more than R$ 500 million related to vaccine procurement and administration. 

Brazil is currently the world’s largest exporter of beef, with 87% of its exports consisting of fresh meat. 

“The main market for Brazilian beef is Brazil itself. We retain 70% of our production domestically and export the surplus. This certification will allow us to expand our presence in additional international markets. We are entering a new era for Brazilian livestock and the meat industry,” said Roberto Perosa, President of the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association (ABIEC). 

“For Brazil, this is a moment of image building. What we are achieving will translate into increased value in our trade balance,” emphasized Ricardo Santin, President of the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA). 

Timeline of FMD eradication in Brazil 

The first recorded case of foot-and-mouth disease in Brazil occurred in 1895, in the Triângulo Mineiro region of the state of Minas Gerais. 

The last occurrence of the disease on Brazilian territory was in 2006. That milestone was followed by the implementation of FMD-free zones, which helped solidify Brazil’s position as a global leader in the sustainable trade of animal protein. 

In 2007, the state of Santa Catarina became the first region in Brazil to be officially recognized by WOAH as free from foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination. 

In 2018, Brazil received international recognition from WOAH as an FMD-free country with vaccination. 

In 2021, the states of Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Acre, Rondônia, and parts of Amazonas and Mato Grosso were recognized by WOAH as FMD-free without vaccination. 

In May 2024, Brazil reached another milestone by ending vaccination in the last states that still immunized their herds, effectively achieving nationwide FMD-free status without vaccination. 

Finally, in 2025, after completing the required 12-month period without vaccination and banning the entry of vaccinated animals into previously transitioning zones, Brazil obtained official international recognition from WOAH as a country entirely free from foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination. 


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