Venezuela signs definitive plan for international certification against foot-and-mouth disease

Published at: 10/04/2026 08:21 PM

The Ministry of Popular Power, Productive Agriculture and Lands, together with the Pan-American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Panaftosa), signed this Friday, April 10, the Operational Plan for Vaccination against Foot-and-Mouth Disease. This document marks the final technical route for the country to obtain global recognition as a territory free of this disease through immunization.

In an audiovisual material released to the press, Diego Vialli Dos Santos, advisor to the Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), explained that the strategy includes a road map based mainly on mass vaccination of animals, reports the EFE agency.

The agreement also involves the Venezuelan Foundation for Animal Health Services (Funvessa) and the National Institute for Integral Agricultural Health (INSAI).

The signing of the plan comes after a week of intense work tables and technical supervision in various production units. This alliance seeks to transform the national livestock landscape, strengthening food security and opening the doors of foreign markets to Venezuelan meat. International certification represents a strategic advance for the economy, as it guarantees optimal health standards for exports.

Vialli stressed that this commitment symbolizes the closure of a historic effort that the country has been maintaining for more than seven decades.

During the meeting at the headquarters of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the experts validated the advances of the Venezuelan health system. The goal of formally eradicating the disease is now at its most critical and decisive stage.

For his part, the president of Funvessa, José Labrador, defined obtaining this certification as a primary objective of the Venezuelan State.

He pointed out that the success of this mission depends on close collaboration between the National Executive and each of the producers in the field. Discipline in mobilization controls and rigorous oversight constitute the pillars for maintaining health status throughout the territory.

The participation of the private sector is essential in this epidemiological surveillance process. Producers, from the largest to the smallest farmers, assume the responsibility of reporting any news and complying with animal health protocols. This joint effort ensures that the operational plan is effective and meets the requirements of international organizations.

Meeting these health goals will increase the competitiveness of national livestock on the continent. Venezuela seeks to consolidate a culture of prevention that protects livestock heritage and ensures the well-being of rural families. The signing of this agreement confirms that animal health is a shared priority that transcends sectoral differences.

The national director of animal health at INSAI, Wilmer Alcázar, recalled that Venezuela has been without a record of the presence of the virus in its herds for thirteen years. This positive record supports the authorities' confidence to apply for international recognition before the World Organization for Animal Health. The country's technical strength supports the certification request that is currently being managed.

The final phase of this health crusade formally begins on May 1 with the start of the first vaccination cycle in 2026. The authorities urge the entire livestock sector to actively join this national immunization day. The technical deployment of Insai and Funvessa will cover rural areas to ensure that no production unit is left out of the program.

This vaccination cycle represents the definitive step in consolidating health sovereignty in the Venezuelan countryside. With the support of Panaftosa, the country adjusts its procedures to the most demanding global standards. The success of this day will allow Venezuela to fully integrate into the international commercial circuit, benefiting the entire meat and dairy production chain.

Mazo News Team