WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/868 
21 July 2008 
 
 (08-3468) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   Spanish 
  
 
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE SITUATION 
 
Communication by Argentina
1 
  
 The following communication, received on 26 June 2008, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of Argentina
. 
 
_______________ 
  
I. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS 
1. Argentina is located in the s outhern and western hemispheres and occupies the most southern 
part of the South American continent.  With a surface area of approximately 3,750,000 sq km, 
Argentina is the seventh largest country in the worl d and the fourth largest on the American Continent 
(after Canada, the United States and Brazil).  Its total border area is 9,376 km, adjoining 
five neighbouring countries:  Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay,  Brazil and Uruguay.  The longest border is that 
with Chile (5,150 km), along the Andes mountain range. 
Geographical Location of Argentina 
 
 
 2. In the field of animal health, in addition to  being a member of the World Organization for 
Animal Health (OIE), Argentina is a signatory to  the Agreement establishing the Standing Veterinary 
                                                     
 
1 The content of the charts is reproduced in Spanish only. G/SPS/GEN/868 
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  Committee ( Comité Veterinario Permanente ), alongside Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and 
Paraguay.  Argentina has also joined these count ries, in signing the Agreement establishing the 
Southern Agricultural and Livestock Council ( Consejo Agropecuario del Sur  – CAS).  Argentina is 
part of the MERCOSUR trade bloc. 
3. At national level, the National Agri -food Health and Quality Service ( Servicio Nacional de 
Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria  – SENASA)
2 is the agency entrusted with the execution of 
governmental animal health and plant protection po licies.  As its name s uggests, SENASA is also 
responsible for ensuring agri-food hygiene, safety and quality.  It also monitors imports and certifies 
exports of animal and plant products, by-p roducts and derivatives, agri-food products, 
pharmacological and veterinary products, ag rochemicals, fertilizers and soil amendments3. 
4. SENASA is an autonomous body attached to th e Executive Power through the Secretariat of 
Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Ministry of the Economy.  In line with the provisions on transparency set forth in the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), SE NASA serves as the national enquiry point. 
II. LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION 
5. The agriculture and livestock sector plays a fundam ental role in the economy of the country;  
boneless beef being Argentina's most important exportable livestock product. 
Livestock inventories by species 
SPECIES Number of 
animals in 
millions 
Bovine 57 
Ovine 16 
Caprine 4 
Equine 2 
Porcine 3 
Source :  Data supplied by the Health Manageme nt System (SGS), as  at 31 March 2008. 
6. According to the different suitability variables,  the most productive area is the Pampas, where 
intensive production of milk and meat is the pre dominant business activity, wi th a constant ingress of 
young cattle.  It is followed by zones with semi -intensive and extensiv e farming activities (NEA, 
NOA) and the semi-arid region with lower stock de nsity (and a larger number of simple commercial 
and subsistence farm holdings). 
                                                      
2 Decree No. 815/99 of 26 July 1999. 
3 Decree No. 1585/96 of 19 December 1996.  G/SPS/GEN/868 
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  Distribution of cattl e stock by region 
 
 
 
1 dot = 1.000 Bovines 
Total Bovine Stock 2007:  57.300.000 
Data supplied by the Health Manageme nt System (SGS), as at 31.03.2008 
Source :  Health Management System – Fiel d Coordination – National Directorate of Animal Health (DNSA) – SENASA 
 
III. HISTORY OF FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IN ARGENTINA 
7. Historically, the presence of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Argentina was related to 
two different ecosystems:  a free zone (Patagonia) a nd an endemic zone (subject to a vaccination plan) 
with frequent occurrences until 1994. 
8. The National Programme of Action to Combat  Foot and Mouth Disease, adopted in 19934, 
eradicated the disease and led to suspension of the vaccination programme in 1999;  OIE recognition 
as an "FMD-free country without vaccination" was obtained in 2000. 
9. The re-emergence of the disease in 2001 require d the design and implementation of a new 
FMD Control and Eradication Plan, which is currently in place. 
                                                      
4 Law No. 24.305/93, the National FMD Law, and its Regulatory Decree No. 643/96, declared the 
eradication of the disease from the entir e Argentine territory to be a matter of national interest and regulated the 
different aspects of the National Programme of Action to Combat Foot and Mouth Disease. 
G/SPS/GEN/868 
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  10. The effectiveness of the plan is attributable to  the active participation of producers and other 
interested sectors in its design and implementation. 
11. Regionalization criteria, standards and proce dures developed and applied are in line with 
international guidelines set forth in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code ("Terrestrial Code"), particularly in Chapter 2.2.10 on Foot and Mouth Disease. 
12. The Plan is based on the following strategies: 
• Regionalization; 
 
• Registration of Agricultural Producers; 
 
• Strategic and Systematic Vaccination; 
 
• Epidemiological Surveillance; 
 
• Control of Animal Movements; 
 
• Border Control; 
 
• Planning and Control of Sanitary Emergencies; 
 
• Training and Awareness Campaigns. 
 
13. Actions taken within a suitable regulatory fra mework led to the following developments: 
• In May 2002, the OIE recognized the Argentine territory located south of 
parallel 42 °S as an "FMD-free zone without vaccination"; 
 
• In July 2003, the OIE recognized the Argentine territory located north of 
parallel 42 °S as an "FMD-free zone with vaccination";  (two events in the border area 
with Bolivia and Paraguay – in 2003 and 2006, respectively – caused the provisional 
suspension of free status in the te rritory located north of parallel 42 °S); 
 
• In March 2007, free zone with vaccination status  was restored to the territory that had 
lost that status, and in May 2007 free z one without vaccination status was extended 
up to Río Negro (see map). 
 14. As is shown by the outline given above, since 2002 the OIE has recognized two FMD-free 
zones in Argentina:  one zone where vaccination is  practised and another where vaccination is not 
practised.  The two zones cover the entire Argentine territory.  They are separ ated by sanitary barriers 
where risk mitigation measures provided for in Chapte r 2.2.10 of the Terrestrial Code are applied. 
15. An area of 15 kilometres extending from Argentina's northern border with Brazil, Paraguay 
and Bolivia is temporarily excluded from the FMD -free zone with vaccination and made subject to 
intensive surveillance.  G/SPS/GEN/868 
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  Map showing Argentina's situation regarding FMD according to 
OIE
 
Epidemiology Directorate, DNSA – SENASA 
 
IV. FMD-FREE ZONE WITHOUT VACCINATION 
16. The "free zone without vaccination" comprises most of the territory of the provinces of 
Río Negro and Neuquén, and the provinces of Chubut, Santa Cruz, Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and 
Southern Atlantic Islands (Patagonia) in their entirety. 
17. The provinces of Patagonia are characterized by sheep breeding for the production of meat 
and wool, with particular emphasis on full-cycle ex tensive ranching.  In the Patagonia region, cattle 
rearing is limited to extensive/extractive breeding areas, with low animal density, in the Andean 
mountain and pre-mountain range, to the west in the area bordering Chile. 
18. Epidemiological indicators suggest that the zone is an ecosystem NATURALLY FREE OF 
FMD , with low contact rate among susceptible animals and limited forage production.  At the same 
time, the likelihood of the virus spreading from infected regions outside country limits into the Argentine territory is negligible because of the distances involved, movement patterns, regulatory 
support and the natural and artificial ba rriers created to prevent its entry. 
19. The "free zone without vaccination" is separated  from the "free zone with vaccination" by the 
Barrancas river (a natural barrier), the Río Negro rive r and part of the free zone with vaccination that 
serves as a buffer zone known as "Patagonia North A", in  addition to a system of sanitary barriers.  
(See map). G/SPS/GEN/868 
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  Chronological detail of recognition of FMD-free zones 
 
Epidemiology Directorate, DNSA – SENASA 
 
V. FMD-FREE ZONE WITH VACCINATION 
20. The "FMD-free zone with vaccination" covers over 95 per cent of the national cattle stock 
due to the quality of the pastures used for cattle farming. 
21. In the "free zone with vaccination", periodic and systematic vaccination is practised, in 
two annual campaigns, on 100 per cent of the bovine and bubaline stock.  Each vaccination campaign 
covers all age categories.  In areas included in  the northern border subprojects, vaccination is 
practised on all susceptible species. 
22. Susceptible species other than cattle are vacci nated only when required by strategic or 
emergency situations. 
23. Movements of cattle within areas where vaccina tion is practised are not authorized unless 
animals have been vaccinated at least twice at in tervals of not more than 180 days.  To meet this 
requirement, strategic vaccinations are performed  during the vaccination campaign and between each 
campaign, as appropriate. 
24. To date, 14 vaccination campaigns  have taken place and the 15th campaign is under way.  An 
average of 60,438,022 vaccine doses were used dur ing the last two vaccination campaigns in 2007. 
25. Producers and other interested sectors particip ate in the National FMD Eradication Plan 
through the FMD National Committee (CONALFA), Pr ovincial Animal Health Boards (COPROSAs) 
and Local Sanitary Bodies and/or Zonal Committees.  G/SPS/GEN/868 
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  26. Besides being the Technical Reference Point for the Local Vaccination Plan, SENASA's local 
veterinarian also performs follow-up and monitoring of vaccination campaigns at local level and is 
directly responsible for auditing, controlling and overseeing the Local Plan5. 
27. SENASA's Epidemiology Directorate, through its "Follow-up and Development System for 
Vaccination Campaigns", assesses the execution of local plans and performance of local sanitary 
bodies in order to implement corrective measures, where necessary. 
28. Strategic vaccination is carried out in emerge ncy situations – peri-focal areas, containment 
cordons in border areas, etc. – as well as for pur poses of outward movement and under the Border 
Safeguard Framework Project. 
29. The implementation of control plans, the adoption of the regulatory framework and the work 
carried out jointly with the different sections of the production chain have enabled Argentina, to date, 
to continue securing recognition of FMD free sanitary status for both zones. 
VI. OTHER STRATEGIES AT NATIONAL LEVEL 
A. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE  
30. Systematic serological sampling is performed  annually under the FMD Surveillance System, 
to detect FMD virus circulation in the susceptib le species and estimate the level of immunity 
conferred through vaccination of the bovine/bubalin e population.  Sampling is performed in zones 
with and without vaccination, in accordance with the recommendations contai ned in Appendix 3.8.7 
of the OIE Terrestrial Code.  It takes the form  of randomized, probabilis tic and stratified initial 
sampling, with follow-up of positive cases.  For design purposes, the country is divided into zones according to production characteristics, and a design based on specific hypotheses is applied in each 
zone. 
31. In addition to annual systematic sampling, target ed surveys are performed in risk areas, such 
as the zone comprised in the Northern Border  Subproject, or in other areas with specific 
characteristics or of particular interest from the epidemiological standpoint. 
32. Sampling for 2007 showed lack of viral activity  in the entire territory and an adequate 
immunity level in the susceptible species.  This was in line with the high rate of vaccine coverage 
achieved, which was sufficient to pr event the spread of FMD virus. 
33. Sectors related to livestock production and h ealth are part of the National System of 
Epidemiological Surveillance
6, adopted in 1996.  This includes agricultural producers, private 
practitioners (veterinarians and agronomists),  livestock consignees, slaughterhouses, livestock 
transporters, the veterinary products industry, etc., who are required to inform SENASA of the 
occurrence of any symptoms compatible with FMD. 
B. MOVEMENT CONTROLS  
34. The following documentation is required to m ove animals to any destination and for any 
purpose: 
• Animal Transit Document (DTA), issu ed by SENASA-authorized offices and 
regulated by SENASA Resolution No. 848/98. 
                                                      
5 SENASA Resolution No. 33/02. 
6 SENASA Resolution No. 234/96. G/SPS/GEN/868 
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• Transport Certificate ( guía de traslado ), issued by the competent authority of each 
province, provided a DTA has previously been submitted. 
 
• Transport Washing and Disinfection Certificate, issued at SENASA-approved 
washing facilities. 
 
35. Records of all owners, holdings, and livestock popu lations within a given jurisdiction are kept 
at each SENASA Local Office.  Records are updated after each vaccination campaign (in areas 
subject to systematic vaccination) and every time animals are moved in or out of a holding. 
36. Sanitary enforcement activities involve controls and inspections at strategic points, consisting 
in: 
• Checking of documents: 
 
• monitoring of animal identification, cate gory, breed, sex, species, marking, number, 
etc; 
 
• clinical inspection to check health status of animals. 
 37. The producer must use the appropriate DTA to re port the arrival of an animal or herd of 
animals at the local office of the pl ace of destination.  Any animal or herd of animals that is moved 
without the appropriate DTA is subject to im mediate sanitary slaughter, pursuant to current 
regulations. 
C. I
NTENSIVE SURVEILLANCE ZONE 
38. Since 2004, Argentina has developed a Bord er Safeguard Framework Project for the 
implementation of "Border North A" border progr ammes in the provinces of Jujuy, Salta and 
Formosa, in areas adjoining Bolivia and Paraguay;  and "Border North B" programmes in the provinces of Chaco, Corrientes and Misiones,  in areas adjoining Paraguay and Brazil. 
39. This Project, with its two Programmes, provid es for specific and differential strategies as 
regards the rest of the country, such as vaccinati on of all susceptible species and strengthening of 
control structures in the border zone. 
D. R
EGIONAL PROGRAMMES  
40. The goals of the MERCOSUR Action Plan for FMD Free Status (PAMA), approved through 
Decision No. 25/2005 of the Common Market Council, are the following: 
 (a) To support the eradication of FMD at the level of MERCOSUR and Associate States 
and contribute to the structuring and opera tion of a sound, subregional veterinary 
system that serves to maintain th e epidemiological status achieved; 
  (b) to contribute to the development of regional livestock for placement in the 
international market and strengthen the san itary bodies to prevent the occurrence of 
other exotic diseases having similar economic impact. 
 
41. The project consists of the following component s:  (i) action in areas with persistence of 
FMD and structural and operational weaknesses;  (ii) bi- or tri-national border projects;  (iii) system 
of diagnostic laboratories and vaccine control;  (iv)  strengthening of national surveillance systems;   G/SPS/GEN/868 
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  (v) production of vaccines under biosecurity conditio ns;  (vi) stronger action at local level;  
(vii) technical audits;  (viii) prevention systems in FMD–free areas;  and (ix) training, technical 
assistance and communication. 
42. The project is implemented by the MERCO SUR Committee for FMD Free Status, through 
the MERCOSUR Secretariat;  each c ountry has in turn created a lo cal executive subunit responsible 
for the activities to be carried out in each country. 
E. LABORATORY  
43. In Argentina, laboratory diagnosis of FMD is  carried out at the SENASA Central Laboratory 
– National Reference Laboratory (NRL) – located in Ma rtinez, Province of Buenos Aires, which is the 
only approved laboratory. 
44. The reference laboratory applies good labo ratory practices and ISO/IEC standard 
17025/IRAM 301 (accreditation for analytical trials) with the aim of facilitating mutual recognition 
agreements.7 
45. During the 76th General Session of the OIE In ternational Committee, held in Paris from 
25 to 30 May 2008, the SENASA laboratory was recognized as a reference laboratory for FMD. 
46. The SENASA laboratory has thus received six reference laboratory accreditations from the 
international organization OIE;  in addition to FMD,  they relate to brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, 
paratuberculosis, leptospirosis and bee diseases. 
__________ 
 
                                                      
7 Resolution No. 55/03 of 21 March 2003.