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SENASA 

FURTI-IER INF®RIVIATI®N 

REQUESTEI) BY USI)A-APHIS 

l)URING IDECElVIBER 2003 YISIT T® 

SUPP®RT PATAG®NIAN REGI®N 

STATUS F®R F®®T AND NI®UTH 

DISEASE (FIVIID) 

1 .~ . 

2004 November 
c 

BUREAU OF EPIDEMIOLOGY 

NATIONAL BUREAU OF ANIMAL HEALTH 

Additional information with regards to Patagonia region requested by APHIS 

after the visit of December 1-5, 2003 

1) FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE EPH)EMIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE 

Foot and mouth disease epidemiological surveillance is ma;nly directed at 

seaarchuig for the disease. It is carried out in a passive and active way. 

The attention and rogistry of.notifications and suspicions of the disease compatible 

Avith vesicular disease are within the passive surveillance actions and ace neported by 

producers, veterinarians, vaccinators, ctc. 

SENASA unplements semlogical sampGngs coantrywide with a minimwn 

freqwwcy of once per year as the main aotiNr swveillance action. 

The pwpose of the foot and mouth disease serological samplings carried out in 

Atgentina is Ihe detcction of viral activity (or infection) and die eslimate of population 

immunity given by vaocination agadnst foot and mouth disc.isc (in Ihe areas where il is put 

uuo pracUice). 

The design of these studies and the analysis of Ihe results are cmried out at the 

heart of the Epidemiology Advising Commission and the Virology Advising Council, 

which depend from the National Bweau of Animal Health of the Bweau of 

Epidenuology. 

The serological studics performed afler the foot and mouth disease epidemic that 

took place in tfie yoars 2000 and 2001 have been dcsigned to estimate the infection 

prevalcnce by the foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) in those areas where them had 

bcen disease outbreaks, and to detect the pnsence of infection in the areas where there 

had been no registries of cGnical cases or its ooeurrence was sporadic. 

In 2003, with more than a year without clinical cases, ihe sampling was directed to 

detect the prosence of infection in all the wons of the oowitry and to estimate the ~ 

immune level of those areas whem vaccinalion is practiced. 

In all the cases, the cowttry was divided into mnes with diffaent geographical, 

praluctive and cpidemiologieal charxteristics with mgard.s to the disease historical 

behavior and to 1he vaccination implementalion. 

1.1. Design: 

It is a samphng with tvvo stages. An independent calculus of the nwnber of herds 

from which the samples shall be taken (formula N° 1) and the necessary nwnber of 
individuals by herd to be uicluded in ihe saniple (formula N° 2) are made to detecminc the 

size of ihe sampling mquired to detect if an event is present in a population. 

Formula N°l: Number of necessary herds (n,)n, = rl — (1— NC )

i 

 ] x( N, — e 2 1 ) 

Where 

NC l.evel of trust (for the detection of at least one positivc individual in the 

population) 

e Number of aHected heads that can be detccted as such in the population. 

This value arises fioni multiplying the number of hecds in the population to be 

studied (N,) by the capected prevalence in positive herdS and b,v the level of 

trus[ defined to detcnnine the number of individuals b_v hecds to be iucluded 'ui 

the sample. 

N, Number of hercLs in the population to be studied 

Formula N°2: Number of individuals by herd to be included in the sample (rs): 

n, = 

L

I—(l NC). ~ xrN, e 2 1 1 

Where 

NC Level of tmst (for the detection of at Icast one positive mdividual by 

establishment) 

e Number of individuals with the event that can be detected by henl. 'Ihis value 

aoses from multiplying the number of individuals by herd (N;) by thc detectable 

prevalence, which is the result of the product between the expected pmvalence (p) 

and the sensitivity (Se) of the diagnosis method (N s p sSe) 

N, Average of ihe number of individuals by herd 

1.2. Serological samplings in the Patagonia Rcgions: 

In the case of the Patagmtia Regions, generally, the serological sludies camed out 

during the last years have been pari of the populations studies perfonned countrywide. 

Neverthelcss, aftcr the foot and mouth disease epidemic suffered in 2000 and 2001 

additional samplings have been catried out. These studies always had the putpose of 

showing the absence of the disease, as it is a7vne free &om foot and mouth disease. 

1.2.1. Samplings Year 2001: 

Duing this year, two studies were carricd out in Patagonia: 

, 

2 
, _ 

1.2.1.1.Population sanipling: sampGng at random of establishmarts with 

susecptible animal.s, acconling to a statistical design. 

1.2.1.2. Targeted sampling: study din3ctcd to establishments into which 

animals from Ihe Nortfiem regions of the country have entered during the period 

when the sanitary barriers had been liIIed, when the country was recognizied as 

free fmm foot and mouth disease without vaceinalion by the OIE, in May 2000. 

The smnpled specics included bovines arnd ovmes. 

In the case of bovines, the test usod was ELISA 3ABC-EITB, and for ovines 

VIAA-1DGA and ELISA Iph. 

The collected samples and the results of dhese studies atc detailed below. 

Table N° l: Sampled establishments, collected samples and results• of the population 

sampling ojPatagonia 2001. 

.- ........................... ................ .......................................................................................................... ........................................ 

ESTABL. with 

REGION 

SAMPLED SAMPLED 

Positrve 

Seropositive 

ESTABL. ANIMALS ANIMALS 

Serologies 

....... ...............................--....................... . ....................................... -----.........................................._. -........... 

NORTH B 251 5019 1 2 

PATAGONIA 

SOUTH 256 6177 0 0 

PATAGONIA 

----- --------- - ~ 

- -- ......... .--------------- ..........------------...----- ................._. 

TOTAL 507 ] l l96 I 2 

Table N° 2: Sampled establishments, collected samples and results oJ the targeted 

sampling ofPatagonia 2001. 

N° of ESTAB. with ~μ Seropositiv 

N° of 

PROVINCE 

E 

Sampled Positive e 

stablislimenis 

animaLs Scmlogies ANIMALS 

CHUBUT 26 1171 0 0 

NEUQUEN 32 1014 7 11 

RIO NEGRO 5 559 0 0 

SANTA CRUZ 6 471 0 0 

TIERRA DEL FUEGO 1 87 0 0 

_.._... _ .............................. 

TOTAL 

_.... _.........._.......... 

70 

_...__..... _.............. _........._...._._.._...._.... 

3302 

_... 

7 

__..._....-_... 

11 

3 
Additional studies were c8ried oui in the estabGshments whee animals neactmg 

to the tests have been foimd. These studies included new samplings of susceptible 

animals, with EPF (esophagus-pharyngeal fhud) sample oolledion for isolation and PCR 

of positives. In all the cases the tests wem negativv, discanling the pnsence of infection. 

Addi[ional samplcs, conesponding to a jointly study with the Livestock and 

Fanning Service of Chile (SAG), cvere collected fiom bovines and pigs in the province of 

Tiena del Fuego. 

1.2.2. Sampling Year 2002: 

The samplings camed out in the Palagonia region during 2002 wete part of the 

population samplings at a country level 

The reporl of this sampling ("Somlogical Sampling 2002, assessment of the foot 

and mouth disease epidemiological siWation in the Repubfic of Atgentind'I together with 

the detail of the design, zoning, sample collection and results were submitted to an 

auditing group at the final meeting. A copy is attached to this document. 

1.2.3. Sampling Year 2003. 

During ihis year, the sludies carried out in Patagonia wen; also part of the 

population samplinga performed countrywide. 

Only ovines were sampled in South and North B Pa[agonia, and bovines were 

sampled in North A Patagonia. 

Samples oollecbed by iegion are detailed below. 

Table N° 3: 3ampling 2003. Number oJpremises sampled and collecled and processed 

camples to delermine viral ac/ivity by region 

Zone Estab. Sampled Collocted Samplcs 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Central Mesopotamia 417 4140 

Fattming 309 2847 

Border 419 4287 

NOA-Cuyo 348 3371 

Norlh A Patagonia 321 3161 

South and Nohh 486 4951 Pa.agonia B .................... ............................................................ 

TOTAL 2300 22.757 

Table N° 4 shows he nesults of viral activity in bovines. The test used was ELISA 3ABCETfB. 

4 
Table N° 4: Resotl(s of viral activity in Category I((rom 6 to 12 months of age) and 

Category 2(from 12 to 24 months of age) bovines per region. 

Category 1 Category 2 

Zone N Positives % N Positives % 

CenvalMesopotamica 2499 12 0.48 1641 20 1.22 

FWming 1711 4 0.23 1136 21 1.85 

Border 2513 13 0.51 1724 10 0.58 

NOA-Cuyo 2008 3 0.15 1353 15 1.11 

North A 

Patagonia 

1902 8 0.42 1259 9 0.71 

Total 10633 40 0.37 1 7113 75 1.05 

Table N° 5 shows the ovine samples collected and their results for South and North B 

Patagonia negions, per province. The test used for this species was ELISA Iph for vims 

type A 2001 ard Ol Campos. 

Table N°5: Number of ovine premises sampled and processed samples to determine viral 

activitv in South and North B Patagonia zone, per province and results. 

ZONE PROVINCE ESTABL. SERUMS POSITIVE SERUMS 

................._...................................... 

-

................................... ......................................... ................................................. 

NORTH B PAT. NEUQUEN 18 180 0 

RIO NEGRO 86 840 0 

CHUBUT 214 2235 0 

SOUTH PAT. SANTA CRUZ 140 1390 0 

T. DEL FUEGO 28 276 0 

---- ............... ._..------------- ._..--- ------------............. ...... 

-.... - -------- ........ 

TOTAL 486 4921 0 

2) MOVEMENT OF SUCEPTIBLE ANIMALS FROM NORTH B 

PATAGONIA TO SOUTH PATAGONIt1 

SENASA Resolution N° 58/01 is the slandard that regulates the movement of 

FMD suscephble aiumals, their products and bypmducts among the different negions of 

the FMD Emdication Plan. This standard was partially modi5ed (Resolution N° 1051/02) 

for the caSe of movements of Soulh and North B Patagonia Region following the 

rocognition of the OIE of the fust one as a Zone Frce from Foot and Mouth Disease 

wheec vacoination is not practiced. 

Article 2 of this standard forbids the entry of live animals of FMD susoeptible 

species of arry origm, condition or purpose to the "FIv1D Freo Zone where vaccination is 

not pracliced" (South Patagonia) to the "Surveillancc Zone where vaccination is not 

practical" (Norlh B Patagonia). On the other hand, Aeticic 4 authorires the entry of 

animals of FMD suseeptible species coming fmm Norlh B Patagonia to South Patagonia. 

5 
These animals should comply with additional nequnements Iaid down in the Annex 

(breeding animals registen:d in the pedigree regislry, wilh quarantine and 2 serological 

tests negative to FNID and 2 negative Pmbang tests, among others). 

3) INFORMATION REGARDING INFRINGEMENT TO BORDER 

CONTROLSTANDARDS 

Decree N° 64396 is applicable to the border control standards, specially art. 8°, and, by 

arialogy, general directives on transport contained in art. 19/21 of the same Decree, as 

well as Resolution N° 478/79 on illegal entry of animals, which are atttached. 

DECREE N° 643/96 

BUENOSAIRES,lune 19, 1996 

ARTICLE 8°.- As fmm the moment this decree is m forcc, no FMD susceptible animal 

will be authoriad to enter, or transit by arry region of the country estabtished by the 

mentioned Autakic Body, according to art 2° of these regulatory standards, if it is not 

accompaniod by an 011icial Sanitary Certilicate, indicating that it has been vaccina[ed 

against the disease and Ihat tfie sanitary actions have been complied with, in addition to 

die certifications required for entry to fiee zones or intended for expott. [mmediate 

confiscation and slaughter of all the mumals shall be carried out on all animals entering to 

Ihe National Tcrritory without the Otricial Sanitary CertiGcation issued by tfie compctent 

authority of the sanitary recognize,d country of origin. 

ARTICLE 19.- Transporlers of any means of transportation, in point of fact or 

contractual, an; msponsible for the liveslock trmisit fiom Ilte momait of loading till 

delivery, covermg lransport with the above-mentioned Offiaial Sanitary Ceriiticate. 

ARTICLE 20.- Transpoiters of arry means of transportation, in point of fact or 

contracmal, are nesponsible for the Iransit of products and by-product.s of animal origin, as 

web as of forage or guano that could c.arry the FMD vims. They shall be covered by 

official sadtary cedi6cations myuirod by Ihe National Service, which shall bc cxhibited 

when requirod by the sanitary authorities. 

ARTICLE 21.- The authorities from the NATIONAL SERVICE OF ANIMAL HEALTH, 

or people that his Service passes inspection faculties on, aeo authorized to retain the 

vehicle, if the driver denies to comply with the inspectiorts required by SENASA or if 

lacking of the official sanitary documents, till a legal otder is obtained. 

RESOLUTION N° 478/79 

BUENOS AIRES, August 23, 1979 

SEEN file N° 135.60889, by which the NATIONAL SERVICE OF ANIMAL HEALTH 

(SENASA) fosters the adoption of sanitary prccautions at any occasion when illegal 

introduction of livestock of any speeies to the tenitory, infringing the sanitary standards 

in fome for import of livestock on the hoof is verified by the technical oR'icials, and 
® 

CONSIDERING: 

That the introtluction of fivestock in ihe above-mentioned conditions could eventually 

cause the entry of exotic diseascs for our country, so it is duty of the sanitary authorities 

to take the necessary prcwentive measures in order this does not take place. 

That illegal entry of livestock would breal: the dispositions foreseen in Decnces N° 189, 

dated January 11, 1965 and N° 2216, dated July 6, 1971. 

Thereforc, and accotding to the nequiremants of article 12 of Law N° 3959 of ihe Animal 

Health Police 

THE AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK STATE SECRETARY 

STATES: 

ARTICLE 1°.- When uitmduction of animals on the hoof without the authorization of the 

competent Sectctaiiat is verificd, it shall be considercd as illegal, being thc official of the 

Sanitary Stnuggle Service (SELSA) authorized to confiscate the animals. 

ARTICLE 2° - The livestock in this conditions shall be kept in a plaee establishcd by the 

authority, during forty eight (48) liours in order to verifv ihey health condition. 

ARTICLE 3° - Verification of a suspicion of a critical disease for the country shall 

detcrmine the immediate slaughter of !he animal.s arul ihe apphcation of all the 

pmphylactic measures considered as necessary. 

ARTICLE 40- Once the forty eight (48) hours of observation are over and if the sanitary 

stalus is acceptable, can6scation of animals and slaughter in slaughterhouses with olTcial 

veterinary inspeclion shall be cmried out, and the meat shall go to public welfare 

institutions. 

ARTICLE 5° - The vehicles used for livestock transport shall meel the maatimum safety 

and hygiene cvnditions. 

ARTICLE 6° - The expenses incurred on compGance of thc nequirements of this 

nesolmion shall be paid by the offendess. 

ARTICLE 7° - Have it notified, published, transfencd to the National Official Joumal 

Department and filed.. 

Fdo.: Zorregnieta - Secretary 

RESOLU110N N° 478/79 

4) INFORMATION ON VESICULAR DISEASES NOTIFICATION 

During 2002, SENASA neceived 3 reports of diseases confusable widi foot and 

mouth disease in Ihe Patagonia Region 

7 
Two of them were clinically discankd and negisterod as 'Notifications". The first 

one took place at the departrnent of Pichi Mahuida, province of Rio Negro (Notth A 

Patagonia Region). Bovines showed traumatic lesions (cuts) m the tongue. No lesions m 

calves were found. The diagnosis was injuries by feeding (Pampas gtasses and salted 

grasses)- 

The second one took place at the depaRment of Bariloche, also in the province of 

Rpuio Negro (North B Patagonia Region). Two dead ovines wen: found at the 

establishment witfi no clinical signs um the rest of the populffiion. The diagnosis 

detennined by rtecropsy was Maedi Visna/Adenomatosis. 77 e animals came from 

estabhshments that already had a history of these diseases. 

The diird mport on the pn?sence of animals with symptomatology compatible with 

vesicular disease, reoeived in the Patagonia region, duting 2002, was registered m the 

department of Patagones, province of Buenos Aires (North A Patagonia Regjon). In this 

case, the presence of FMD or other confusable disease oould not be clinically discaTded 

and it was neassary to collect sainples tn discaid or confum the diagnosis ("Suspicion of 

vesicular disease"). The report was made by a private vcterinanan when he found oml 

lesions compatible with FMD in 14 bovines, from a total of 217, during an inspection of a 

herd befom dispatch to a livestock auction. The animals did not show any other syslemic 

signs. As fmm that moment thc ptemise was inti.'rdicted. The official veterinarian in 

charge collocted epithelimu and scrum samples from die affocted bovines lot The 

laborutory tests were negabve to FMD. ELISA 3ABC and AITB were made to Ihe sera 

and die epithelium sample was used bo make BHK cell culture passages and in a suckling 

mouse, ELISA typing and PCR. Taking into account 1he laboratory nsuNs and follow-up 

of the disease at the field the pnesence of FMD was discanled. IBR by serology in double 

samples was diagnosed. 

During 2003 and in ihe course of 2004 there have been no reporls of vesicular 

disease in Patagonia regions. 

5) LOCATION AND CAPACITY OF SLAUGHTERING PLANTS 

Acconding to Annex II of Resolution N° 58, dated May 25, 2001 of the 

mgistry of the NATIONAL AGRIFOOD HEALTH AND QUALITY SERVICE and to 

Jom Disposrtion N° 5 of die National Bumati of Animal HeaLh and N° 18 of the National 

Bmeau of Agrd'ood Inspoction, SENASA will audiori7e the intmduction of animals 

coming &om othcr regions intamed for immediate slaughter to the Northem A 

Patagonia Region under the following conditions: 

a) Notify to the destination to be authorirrjd by the Chief of Veterinary Inspection of the 

slaughter plant. 

b) The animals come from establishments whem there were neither FMD outbeeaks 

during dic last SIXTY (60) days nor in a radius of TWENTYFIVE (25) kilometers for die 

last THIRTY (30) days. 

c)Clinioal inspedion and of&cial dispatch with notification to destination 

; 
d) The animals shall be dinxtly moved 5rom the hvestock esfablishment of ongin to the 

coldstore plant appmved by SENASA. This plant shall meet operative and biosecurity 

conditions established by SENASA. 

e) The camasses originated in these animals shall be matureted during not less dhan 

TWENTY-FOUR (24) hours, at a temperamre of no less than (+2°C) until they mach a 

pH not higher than FfVE POINT MNE (59) measunjd at the longissimus dorsi muscle. 

I) The chambers for ma[uration of carcasses shall have inshtanents for continues 

registration of tempemtme (thecmographs), which graphs shall be fded by the hispection 

Service for ONE (1) year. 

g) Meats shall be deboned (except for thc cut named plate) and cartilages, lymph nodes 

and visiblc clots n:moved. 

h) The remains of the slaugltter shall be sent to a thermal treahuent guamntecing the 

inadivation of the FMD vims. 

i) Pn}stomachs (tripe, bible, n;mict), fnst portion of the small intestine, kidney, tongue, 

livcr and tail shall be subjected to a thermal process, to be commerciali7cd, guaranteeing 

(72°C) at the deeper part of the mass during at least THIRTY (30) minutes. 

j) The heart and diaphragm shall be maturated at a temperatum of no less than +2°C 

during 4 hours. 

k) Processes described in items i) and j) shall be registered and audited for ONE (1) year. 

1) Hides shall be subjected to a salting pmcess during a minimum period of FORTY-FNE 

(45) days at the establishment. 

m) The blood, fat and the rest of the offaLs and mmains of tfie slaughter which were not 

described in the pmvious items shall be subjected to a thermal treatment guamnteeing the 

destruction of thc FMD vins. 

Slaughtered bovine estabGshments located al North A Patagonian Zone. 

Establishment Company Loca6on Slaughter capacity 

Official N° 

2354 FRIDEVI VIEDMA, RIO 200 ANIMALS 

NEGRO PER DAY 

2511 HECTOR VILLA REGINA, 150 ANIMALS 

GUTIERREZ RIO NEGRO PER DAY 

3922 CENTENARIO CENTENARIO, ]00 ANIMALS 

Pt7A. NEUQUEN PER DAY 

2903 COPROMANEU SEVILLOSA, 100 ANIMALS 

S.A PCIA. NEUQUEN I PER DAY 

~ 

- 9 
See Attach File Resolution 58/2001 

See Attach File Joint Regulation 5/2001 and 18/21101 

6) INFORMATION ABOUT WILD BOAR POPULATION AND 

SURVEII,LANCE PROGRAMMES IN FNID SUSCEPTIBLE W[LD AN[MALS 

There is neither accurate information about wild boar populations nor an specific 

surveillance programme for wdd populations of FMD susceptible anunals 

Cunently, SENASA and authorities of Wild Fauna, dependent from the 

Secm;tariat of Environment, are wodring on the signing of a cooperation agreement, wilh 

the purpose of working jointly in Ihe control and surveillance of notifiable diseases in 

wild animals. 

Nevecthelcss, special serological slndies m wild animals that included dea 

commercial farms, FMD susceptible animals and wddd game pn:ys have been carried out. 

6.1 Serological Samplings in Deer Farms 

In 2002, a serological sampling was carriecl out with the purpose of detecting the 

presence of FMDV infocted animals vi deer oommercial farms in Argentina 

According to the established design, 29 samples were colleeted in each 

establishmenL This gives a level of trust of 95% to detect at least one positive case if the 

prevalence of infected animals Here I O°/u or highcr. 

The VIAA-IDGA test was used for the detection of antibodies to nonstructural 

proteins (NSP) of FMD virus and the ELISA test in liquid phase for the detection of 

antibodies to stnictural proteins of A 2001 and Ol Campos virus types. As the armnals 

were not vaccinaled, the positive tesult to any of the tests used would indicate that the 

animal was exposed and infecoed. 

478 samples were colleded from 15 establishments, five of them belong to the 

province of Neuquen and one to the province of Rio Negro (North B Patagonia Region). 

All of the samples were negative both to the detccbon of stmetural antibodies 

(ELISA in liquid phase) and to nonshuctural (V[AA-iDGA) to the FMD virus. 

6.2. Monitoring of wild biungulaUes in areas without vacaination: 

In 2002, a scrological survey of wild biungulabes in areas without vaccutation was 

also carried out with the purpose of verifying the role of these species in the FMD 

epidemiological behavior in said areas. It was performed in ganie preserves in Patagonia 

The aini of the sampling was to detoct the presence animals infecxed with the 

FMD vims in wild suscepnble species in areas without vaccination. 

,. 

10 
'~'/' 

Among wild species susceptible to FMD, which an: big game pteys in the 

diflcrent gaine preserves at ihe Patagonia, it can be mentioned the ned deer (Cervus 

elaphus), the wild boar (Sies scrofa jerox) and the guanaeo (Lama gttanacres) 

In order to cany out the sampling of these species, blceding of the animals was 

performcd at the moment thcy wen: huntcd. A total of 32 sarmn samples xvere collected, 

and thcy corresponded to 27 rod deer capNted in 9 big game prescrves in the province of 

Neuquen (Nonh B Palagonia) and 5 guanacos from an establishment in the province of 

Chubut(South Patagonia). 

AIl the analyrzed samples rcsulted negative to VIAA-IDGA tests for the detection 

of antibodies to NSP of the F'MD vims and to the ELISA test in liquid phase for struclural 

antibodies for A 2001 and 01 Campos virus types. 

7) DOCUMEN7'S OR REQIJESTED COPIES: 

- Item A: See CD attached. 

- Item B: In the case of an emergency there is not a specific protocol but 

dynamic mechanisns. 

The Bueeau of Animal Health, among others, detennines and notifies the sanitary alerts to 

thc border areas and indicates the n3commendations regarding the actions to be 

impleniented 

Neverthelcss, the borden; in risk, cstablished by SENASA Resolution N° 1505/00, have a 

scries of eatraordinary control and preventive measures to be automa[ically carried out 

when there is a possible suspicion or sanitary alert to prevent the introduction of 

etiologieal agents of exotic diseases or high eisk for the RepubGc of Aegentina, which 

include, among othees: 

Reinforc.ement of the slaff in control posts and border areas. 

- Intensdcation of physical, doeumentary and identity controls of commercial 

loads of pmducts of animal origin authorized to entcr to the Republic of 

Argcntina 

- To impose a highcr restriction to the introduction of inen:handises under 

"border neighbor tr•misif". 

- To disinfect the vehicles entering the National Teeritory. 

- To reinforce passenger and luggage control. 

- To establish control posts in roads oonsidened as stratcgic with the aim of 

preventmg the above-montioncxl sanitary risks. 

Item C: REPORT OF THE VLSIT TO THE PATAGONIA 

ZOOFITOSANITARY BARRIERS — JULY 21103 

The visit took place between July 14 and 17, jointly ivith Agr. Eng. Cynthia Ruiz from the 

Plant Quarantine Directorate and accompanied by Agr. Fing. Daniel VILLALBA, 

Coordinator of FUNBAPA Barrienc. 

ll 
The visitcd Barrier Posts wcre Ihe following: 

• Neuquen Airport 

• CatrieV25 de Mayo 

• Casa de Piedra 

• LaJaponesa 

• La Adela 

• Km. 714 

The Spraying Chamber of Bahia Blanca and the FUNBAPA of'ices m Gral. Roca and 

Viedma (Technical and Calculation area) were also visited 

The surveyed issues weec the followmg: 

1. Fcuit Flies 

2. SICOFHOR (Control System for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Products) 

3. Zoosanitary Bai7ier. documentary and conceptual feahues of the barrier control 

Genaal Comments on the visit 

1. Fruit Flies 

This visit corresponds to the inspection of barriers to be pedormed within the 6amework 

of the National Fruit Flies Eradication and Control Program (PROCEM), as required by 

SENASA Resolution N° 601/01. 

A copy of ihe n:port developed jointly with Agr. Eng. Cynthia RUIZ, submitted to the 

Quarantine, Borders and Certifications Unit by the Plant Quarantine Direotorate, which 

includes the visit schedule, is attached. 

2. SICOFHOR 

It was vcrificd that the barrier posts are up-dated regarding communications submittcd to 

the Coordination of Sanitary Barriers and Federal Tratl'ic. The staff assigned to the 

bamers were awarc of the fact that they had to verify packagc labcls and approval code 

seal, rejocting loads that did not meet the standards. Thc staff pointed out that many 

tmnsporters preferred Voluntary Confiscation than the altemative of retuming to origin, 

specially if they are liWe quantities of buQcs/boxes included in a bigger or "mixed" load. 

The posts had the list of approved sheds so it was possible to control the data contained in 

the submitted documents. 

It was notified, by Memorandum N°114/2003 of this Coordination, Ihat the cases which 

had documents proving the beginning of the permit process and if the list was approved, 

the staff at the barrier should let the load go on and notify the ocvner, in witing, (crossing 

out the part designated as infringements) so as the person goes to the Local Oflice whcte 

the procedure was initiatad to ask for the pertinent number. Regarding this issue, 

discrepancies in Ihe answers were obscrved, varying from whom only notified orally to 

whom statod that the correct way was to let them go on with a waming of rejoction of the 

neat load unW the si[ualion was normalized. 

12 
I was observed that SICOFHOR control was also carried out in the Gral. Roca post. 

A copy of Ihe Verification Rccocd, developed by this Coordinabon, with the data of the 

load oNvners to be veri6ed by SICOFHOR was submitted to Agr. Eng. Daniel 

VILLALBA, in Viedma. The stafi at die baniers agreed on the difficulty of obtaining 

these data. 

With rcgaards to the Bahia Blanca Spraying Chamber, tlie neception of Circular notc N° 

9/2003 of this Coordination (SICOFHOR Procedures Guide for Controls in Spraying 

Chamber) was verified in the Registry Book of Bromide Stocks (page 19) dated 02/06/03. 

Likcwise, it was verified that the fnrit in the chatubQ in heatuig process (see Fnut Flies 

Report) had the standanl label. 

CONCLUSION 

As the control of pear and apple packing shed approvals is being carried out before the 

implcmentation of the SICOFHOR, it is imporlmit to compare il with other producer 

aones of the country which barriers and/or concenirating markets are in the fust stage of 

the performance of thesc controls, that could be surveycd in a near future, with the 

purpose of having a wider outlook regarding the difficulties of implementahion of the 

system. 

Zoosanitary Barrier 

The bamer staff is aware of the documentary aspects carried out during the controls in the 

barriets, botfi for livestock on thc hoof and for animal products and by-products, 

mgarding registry books, documents to be required to the transporters (PTR, DTA, 

SENASA approval and Washing Ceitificates, as appropriatc) and what should be verified 

in these documents (scals, plate numbers, brands, certificate validity). They were 

particularly askod about the approval of dairy tmnsporis, which control is not mandatory, 

and they wem aware of this situation. 

With Iegards to Ihc luggage of individuals, and on occasion of confiscamng fresh meat to 

a bus passenger, the banier staffR' explauied the pmcedure carried out in the cases of 

packages. In another post, and after the correct confiscalion of a salami, the staff could 

not exactly explain the reason for the confiscation. 

In general, doubts, ignorance and/or niistakes in the interpretation of the procedures in 

certain cases, for exainple liome-made honey or Nvithout label and bacon or similar. 

CONCLUSION 

The barrier stafi' was good to very good qualified, according to the answers related to the 

methodology ased. 

Although the slaff know the standards, it is suggested to verify thc level of their command 

so thcy can decide if a product/by-product can be introduced to the region, for cacample 

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when they are carticd by an individual (and the pertinent explanation if Ihey are 

confiscate,d), as well as interpmtation and analysis of the documents accompanying a 

commercial load when mislakes or falsifications are found. 

Precise comments on the visited barrier posts 

DOCUMENTS AIYD REGISTRIES 

Each post has Ihe following n:gistries: 

• List of Staff Rotation 

• Book of News 

• File of Reoeivad Communications 

• Folder with Resolutions 

• Complaint Book 

Each post develops the following documents: 

• Crossing and Control Chart: Out-going products and by-products of animal origin 

• Crossing and Control Chart: Intnxluction of pnoducts and by-pmduds of animal 

mgin 

• Crossing and Control Chart: Out-going livestock and empty cages. 

• Crossing and Control Chart: Introduction of livestock and empty cages. 

In the case of panicular confiscations, a numbered coupon is given to the person There 

are no registries in the post and the nymaining part of the coupon is submitted to 

FUNBAPA in Viedma (Calculation area). 

INFRASTRUCTURE AND TASKS 

All the visited banier stalt' works for FUNBAPA, and they are well provided with 

working clothes. 

With regands to the batrier posts in general, the hygiene conditions were very good (at the 

time of the visit, 25 de Mayo and La Adela were under painting works). 'ihe tenestrial 

banier posts had traffic cones, Gghts for night inspections and signs (in evEry post), as 

well as automatic disinfectants and stalls (in most of the posts). 

AII the posts had adequate containers for confiscations and pits (Cmther away from the 

posts) vvhere all the confiscatod sesidues are bumt (usually one for plants and another one 

for meat products). Some romains of confiscated material which had not been destroyed 

could be obsecved in containers or pits. 'ihc answer to Ihis situation was lack of time, due 

to the'amount of wodc, need to sample the confiscated fruit, inconvenience of carrying a 

cutter or penknife or lack of this element. 

All the posls coincided 'm the high level of support of the security foroes located in thc 

bacrier. Most of them had nnal police stations that could cventually be a supporL 

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. ' Neuqn(n Airnort 

The report developed for Fmit Flies is expGcit willi regards to the activity observed. 

On-duty statl' questioned: Gustavo PIERANfONI (Post Chief), Patricia BEREZOSKY 

and Walter ESPARZA. 

Banier infrastruchue: Very Good. 

Trmmt flow: 8 tlights/day 

As an extra comment, thae was a notification on the high number of Notification 

Rccords developed in the airport, mostly by lack of DTA for chickens. 

• 25 de Mayo 

On-duty sta(T quesuoned: Agr. Eng. Gustavo BERDUGO (Chief of Area) and Carlos 

PADILLA (Post ChieQ 

Altemative roads: Yes (in bad condition for tmcks) 

• Casa de Piedra 

On-duty staff questioned: Claudio NfITQJGER (Post Chief) 

Altemative roads: No 

Barrier inf&astmctun:: Good (lack of stall) 

Transit flow: 150 vehicles/day (30 trucks and 35 buses) 

This post will be closed for 3 months due to nirming repairs in the Casa de Piedra dam. 

o La Japoncsa 

On-duty staff questioned: Carlos SILVEIRA (Post Chief) and Ambal NUNEZ 

Altemative roads: No 

Barrier infratitructmc: Regular (manual disinfection and absence of stall, as well as 

restriction in die working area, carrying out ihe tasks on the road, excepl for those which 

imply working on tfie truck loads) 

Transit flow: 20 vehicles/day (5- ] 0 tTucks per week) 

• Km. 714 

On-duty staff questioned: Agr. Eng. Dario PRATDESSUS (Post Chief), Angel 

SALERNO, Marcelo POMENZIO and Rub6n PACCETI. 

Altemative roads: Yes 

Barrier infrm1meture: Very Goed (it also has a fruit grinding for particular confiscations) 

INSPECTION VISIT TO THE CENTER OF QUARANTINE TREATMENT 

APPLICATIONS BAHIA BLANCA SPRAYING 

15 
CWM"iLI3; :'TS 

An mspe.,-tion to this center was eamed out. it has dnee chmnbers, one of them was m 

fnnt hcating pmcoss and the olher two widi treatmant m proces as the visit took place. 

The following equipment was observed during the visit: Gas Analyzer (Fumiscopio), 

Soale, Manometer, Halum's lamp, and Heating System, as well as the required clothes to 

cacry out thc tasks (gas mask, gloves). 

Manual temperature of the fruit in heating pnocess was measmed in order to verify the 

temperature mgisten9d in the software, and the work of Agr. Eng. Fabian Ruarte (SUFP 

(Unique System of Pemianent Supervision) Inspector - San Juan). 

Absence of a SiIFP News Book was observed and when Agr. Eng. Ruarte was asked 

about it, he mentioned that he does not renembea the existenee of it in the center. 

It was observed, in the Chamber News Book, that die last time sensors were put back to 

aem was on September 23, 2002, alihough, when the repinchado was perfonned, there 

wem no diffemnccs between these sensors and the manual themometer. The last 

inspection carried out by the Cooniinator of the Unique System of Permanent Supervision 

was on April 25, 2002. 

CONCLUSSIONS 

• Placement of a sign for public users descnbing the treatments that can be carried 

out in this center and for what kind of products is necommended. 

• Put back to Dero of thermometers in the chambers is recommended to be carried 

out more fnequently, and if it is being carticd out, it is nxommended to write it 

down in ihe News Book. 

• Availabihty of a News Book for SUFP Inspectors is suggested. 

- Item D: n:port on why am only bovines systematic.ally vaccinated against 

FMD in Argentina A copy of the docmnent developed by request of the DG-SANCO 

341312001 mission "The role of ovines in FMD epidemiology in Argentina. 

Strategies for vaccination of species" is attached. 

- See Annez DG SANCO 3413/2001. 

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