Mato Grosso do Sul deemed FMD-free
The World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) has reinstated the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul as a foot-and-mouth-disease-free area. Speaking in Paris at the OIE meeting, secretary of agricultural development, production, industry, trade and tourism for Mato Grosso do Sul, Tereza Cristina Corrêa da Costa Dias, said: "We are very pleased with the result of our work. We now want to resume sales to Europe and become a state that is seen as a sanitary reference for the rest of Brazil."
Despite the limitations imposed by the OIE, Mato Grosso do Sul has been trading with several countries. The ministry of development, industry and commerce has reported that, in the first half of the year, the state exported 35,400 tons of beef to 36 destinations with a turnover of $ 122 million. In the same period in 2007, exports were 17,700 tons, generating revenues of $34.7 million.
