Coordinated action approved to prevent African Swine Fever in the region

The Secretaries of Agriculture of the Americas pledged to combat the African Swine Fever with national and hemispheric initiatives and in a coordinated effort. The commitment was made at the 2021 Conference of Secretaries of Agriculture of the Americas/Inter-American Board of Agriculture (JIA), held last week in San José, Costa Rica.

The disease was recently detected in the Dominican Republic and has raised concerns across the region due to its potential effect on swine production. At the event, the Secretary of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic, Limber Cruz, reported on the current situation and actions underway in his country, which officially notified the appearance of the disease in its territory in July.

The Secretaries of IICA’s 34 member countries pledged to carry out joint actions with the collaboration of international organizations linked to food production and animal health. They also asked the Director-General of IICA, Manuel Otero, to support the development and execution of binational projects and actions and the implementation of work plans defined in the subregional spaces. The goal is to eradicate outbreaks and prevent and contain the spread of the virus, for the Hemisphere to succeed in regaining  African Swine Fever-free status.

“We need to be aware that despite not being transmissible to humans, African Swine Fever could impact the economy of our continent and the lives of our populations. Coordinated action between our countries is essential”, emphasized the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Brazil, Tereza Cristina, who assumed the presidency of the JIA.

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