Paraguay's and Uruguay's meat sectors are in sync: foot-and-mouth vaccination should be maintained until solid health guarantees are in place. The position was defended by leaders of the Uruguayan meatpacking industry during the program La Industria Responde, organized by the Rural Association of Uruguay and broadcast on the Valor Agregado channel.
Marcelo Secco, CEO of Marfrig, stated that under current conditions, there is no need to stop vaccination. “The status of a foot-and-mouth disease-free country with vaccination does not hinder access to international markets,” he said. He emphasized that any decision to abandon immunization must be based on robust scientific evidence and global epidemiological monitoring, especially given new outbreaks of the disease in various regions.
Alberto González, director of Frigorífico Las Piedras, was categorical: “Uruguay, under no concept, should stop vaccinating while there are no absolute guarantees that the disease poses no risk to the continent. The country has little to gain and much to lose if a foot-and-mouth outbreak occurs.” He noted that Uruguay has secured approvals for demanding markets such as South Korea and Japan while maintaining its current health status.
Eduardo Urgal, director of the Pando and San Jacinto meatpacking plants, argued that instead of campaigns to abandon vaccination, countries should promote continuous immunization of all herds.
In Paraguay, the debate is parallel. While the National Service for Quality and Animal Health (Senacsa) considers moving to a vaccination-free status, producers and the industry reject the measure and advocate maintaining immunization until 2030. The position of Paraguay's productive sector coincides with Uruguay's: vaccination is essential to protect livestock assets, prevent outbreaks, and ensure exports to demanding markets.