The Paraguayan Association of Meat Producers and Exporters (Appec) has expressed its support for President Santiago Peña's decision to maintain the full foot-and-mouth disease vaccination scheme until 2028. The livestock sector argues that the continuity of immunization is crucial to preserve access to international markets, one of the main assets of the Paraguayan meat chain, which exported over $2 billion last year.
Marco Panciotto, president of Appec, stated that suspending vaccination would represent an "enormous risk" for producers without offering an equivalent concrete advantage. He emphasized that the transition to a potential cessation of vaccination must be preceded by strengthening the country's institutional capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies.
Daniel Prieto, president of the Paraguayan Rural Association (ARP), confirmed that the government has committed to maintaining the current scheme until the end of Peña's term, which has brought predictability and peace of mind to producers. The 2026 foot-and-mouth vaccination campaign has already reached 12.7 million cattle, with a 99.28% progress rate compared to the previous period.
Simultaneously, Paraguay presented its successful experience in controlling foot-and-mouth disease during the 28th Meeting of the Sub-Commission for Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Southeast Asia, China, and Mongolia, held in Ulaanbaatar. José Carlos Martin, president of the National Service for Animal Quality and Health (Senacsa), highlighted that the invitation constitutes recognition of the work carried out by the countries of the Southern Cone.
The Paraguayan presentation included topics such as the current health situation in the region, prevention and control measures, the operation of the Banvaco vaccine bank, and the progress of the 2026–2030 Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Action Plan. The event positioned the country and the Southern Cone Permanent Veterinary Committee (CVP) as technical references in animal health.
Although Paraguay's expertise is internationally recognized, the domestic debate about ending vaccination remains cautious. The productive sector insists that the recognition of success in controlling the disease should not precipitate the suspension of immunization without robust institutional conditions in place to mitigate health and commercial risks.