G/SPS/GEN/1930/Rev.2   
13 August 2021  
(21-6214) Page: 1/1 
Committee  on Sanitary  and Phytosanitary  Measures  Original: Spanish  
 
  
DECLARATION OF FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE FREE STATUS  
COMMUNICATION FROM  COLOMBIA  
Revision  
The following communication, dated 1 1 August  2021, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Colombia . 
 
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1.  On this occasion, we wish to update WTO Members on the restoration by the World Organisation 
for Animal Health (OIE) of Colombia's health status as a foot and mouth  disease (FMD) free zone 
where vaccination is practised  (update of  document G/SPS/GEN/17681 circulated by  Colombia) . 
2.  With the aim of adopting the necessary sanitary measures for the control and eradication of FMD , 
and in order to recover the country's health status, the Colombian Agricultural Institute ( ICA) 
declared a nationwide health emergency by virtue of Resolution No.  00033682 of 4  October  2018. 
In addition, the strategy adopted for the control and eradication of the outbreaks was based on 
Article 8.8.7, paragraph 3.a, of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code, which calls for the stamping 
out of sick animals and their contacts, emergency vaccination and surveillance in accordance with 
Articles 8.8.40 to 8.8.42, in  order to restore the status of "FMD free country where vaccination is 
practised" six months after the last animal is killed . 
3.  Following the implementation of these measures, from 24 to 30  November  2019, Colombia 
received a visit from a committee of OIE exp erts, who evaluated the action plan implemented by 
ICA to eradicate the FMD outbreaks. The OIE's Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases  later 
evaluated the data submitted by Colombia and concluded that the zone of Colombia satisfied the 
requirements und er Article  8.8.7, paragraph 3.a, of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code for regaining 
FMD free status.  
4.  Consequently, we would like to remind all WTO Members and our trading partners that, on 
5 February  2020, the OIE restored Colombia's status as an " FMD free zone where vaccination is 
practised ", as previously recognized by the World Assembly of OIE Delegate s in the Resolution of 
22 May 2017.  
5.  Within the framework of the 88th Annual General Session of the World Assembly of OIE Delegates 
held in  2021, ICA received OIE recognition of Protection Zone 2 (previously referred to as a  "high 
surveillance zone ") as FMD free with vaccination. The zone comprised a strip of territory of 
approximately 15  km wide in the municipalities of Arauca, Arauquita, Cravo Norte and Saravena in 
the department of Arauca; the municipality of Cubará in the department of Boyacá; and the  
municipalities of La Primavera and Puerto Carreño in the department of  Vichada.   
6.  Given Colombia's new health status granted by the OIE in its capacity as an SPS  Agreement 
reference body, we wish to invite WTO Members to inform their health authorities so that the 
restrictions may be lifted, thus facilitating ongoing processes to ensure compliance with sanitary 
requirements for bovine meat originating in Colombia.  
 
1 Document G/SPS/GEN/1768 , circulated on 19 March 2020.  G/SPS/GEN/1930 /Rev.2  
 
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  7.  Further enquiries regarding the measures implemented by ICA for the declaration of FMD free 
status may be addressed to : asuntos.internacionales@ica.gov.co . 
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