Embrapa Rondônia Certified as Brucellosis, TB Free
BRAZIL - Following a rigorous standard established by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2001, Embrapa Rondônia (Porto Velho-RO) has received a area free from brucellosis and tuberculosis (TB) certificate in Porto Velho.
This is the third consecutive year that the area has received the record and remains the only company in Rondonia to possess the certification.
The process follows a rigorous standard established by the Ministry in 2001 by the National Programme for Control and Eradication of Brucellosis Animal (PNCEBT), which also introduced a compulsory vaccination against brucellosis in cattle and buffaloes throughout the country.
"It is essential that we protect our livestock and encourage producers in the state to do the same," explains Fabio Barbieri, a researcher at Embrapa Rondônia.
Besides the care of their area, Embrapa Rondônia, through Project Tecleite, is encouraging the accession of the other properties to contribute to the process of eradication of brucellosis and tuberculosis in the state.
According to Mr Barbieri, in the coming months, one of the Reference Units Technology for dairy cattle (URTLeite) Project will begin the certification process.
Projects like these, that incorporate the control of brucellosis and tuberculosis and broadcast technologies, stimulate the entry of animal products with quality and low health risk to consumers. Therefore, having a property free of brucellosis and tuberculosis is also guarantee that all products from the herd are free of disease.
Certification
Tests for diagnosis of brucellosis are conducted exclusively in females aged greater than or equal to 24 months and who were vaccinated between three and eight months, and also in unvaccinated males and females from eight months old. Since the diagnostic tests for tuberculosis should be performed on all animals aged over six weeks.
The certification procedures for properties free of brucellosis and tuberculosis comply with technical principles established by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
The reorganisation of the properties that adhere to the certification of free area is done by testing all animals and sacrificing those who accuse positive results for both diseases. Tests are conducted in all the cattle until they get three positive results without reacting animals, the minimum period of nine months.
After the trial period the property receives the certificate free of brucellosis and tuberculosis and must do maintenance in compliance with all sanitary rules and standards established. The tests should be repeated annually in all animals and should be performed by a authorised veterinarian.
TheCattleSite News Desk