Weekly Report - 22 September 2011 (WR-11-38)

It took Paraguay many years to obtain, in 2005, “Foot and Mouth (FMD) free with a vaccination regime” status from the World Organisation for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties, OIE). The benefits of the certification where immense, enabling the country to become the world’s fourth largest beef exporter. Last year, Paraguay exported a record 170,000 tonnes (t) valued at US$970m and it looked set to break that record this year. According to local, unofficial sources, (to August 2011) the country has exported some US$635m. However, the certification and the sector’s prospects were undone in a single day.