0
The Bolivian highlands was declared internationally as an "FMD free zone without vaccination" by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
This means that 12% of Bolivia has already been internationally recognized as free of disease without vaccination, while 20.8% is free with vaccination.
Recognition by the OIE will directly support to 24,500 farmers, 85% of whom are small producers who get their food and only major source of income through livestock.
The area recognized is composed of 20 municipalities in the department of La Paz, 15 in Potosi and 25 in Oruro, corresponding to 151,300 km2, representing 56.9% of the highlands and 13.9% of the country. This area is most striking in the production of sheep and camels in the country: they generate 100% of the population of alpacas in the country, 95% of the llamas and 85% of sheep and goats, all susceptible species to the disease.
The certification obtained allows producers of the plateau new opportunities for trade in animals and products, in both domestic and international markets. In total, the area has a population of 76 000 cattle, about 1 million 70,000 sheep, 302,000 goats, 12,000 pigs and 1 million and a half camels.
Friday May 25, 2012/ Oficina Regional de la FAO para América Latina y el Caribe/ FAO. http://www.rlc.fao.org
