Rural group warns against 'improvising' Argentina's foot-and-mouth disease plan

Argentina's agricultural sector is urging caution regarding changes to the nation's strategy against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). José Colombatto, first vice president of Rural Confederations of Argentina (CRA), issued a strong warning, stating that the FMD control plan "admits no improvisations." He emphasized that any modifications to the country's sanitary strategy, particularly concerning vaccination, must be grounded in rigorous scientific evidence and broad technical agreement.

This warning comes after the government announced a shift in the FMD vaccination program. For the second vaccination campaign of 2026, the inoculation of heifers and steers will cease, with doses now exclusively for calves. The Secretariat of Agriculture highlighted this change as a cost-saving measure, estimating savings of approximately $22 million by eliminating around 14 million doses. The ministry claims this adjustment ensures herd immunity for a year and aligns with practices in other South American nations, also citing benefits like reduced animal stress and weight loss.

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No admits improvisations.

However, Colombatto underscored the hard-won sanitary status Argentina has achieved, which took years to establish. He asserted that the credibility of the national system and access to international markets hinge on maintaining this status. CRA also pointed to the growing responsibility required from all stakeholders in the agricultural chain, citing the rise of diseases like bovine scabies. Furthermore, the organization highlighted the increasing international market demand for responsible antibiotic use, emphasizing its role in ensuring food quality and safety.

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Any change in sanitary strategies must be based on scientific evidence and technical consensus, because the credibility of the system and access to international markets depend on it.