FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE ERADICATION IN SOUTH

UNCLAS BOGOTA 008256 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR: USDA/APHIS; KAREN SLITER; STATE OES/IHB; ANDREA LAURITZEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR PTER KSCA CO SUBJECT: FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE ERADICATION IN SOUTH AMERICA DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: STATE 151663 ¶1. On November 6 Econoff raised reftel issue with Colombian Ministry of External Relations (MRE) North America Desk Officer Claudia Cuevas and delivered non-paper. Cuevas said she would distribute non-paper to appropriate GOC agencies. Based on the recommendation of the Embassy's Agricultural Attache and Animal and Plant Inspection Services (APHIS) Attache, post has decided not to demarche the Ministry of Agriculture (MinAg) at this time. We believe that it would be counter-productive given the recent history of cooperation and progress. ¶2. Over the past several years MinAg and USDA/APHIS have worked closely together to eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) from Colombia. USDA has spent over USD 50 million on this project, and Colombia has invested significant funds as well, generating significant progress. Following a recent USDA decision to reduce funding for the project, the GOC picked up the slack and earmarked an additional USD 2.4 million for FMD eradication in 2008 to keep the efforts going. ¶3. In the past two years the MinAg's regulatory agency, the Colombian Institute for Agriculture (ICA),increased FMD surveillance efforts, hired more people, and increased funding. The Colombian Cattlemen's Association invests approximately USD 14 million per year to conduct two vaccination campaigns. Last year the campaigns reached over 24 million head of cattle, or approximately 90 percent of the cattle population. As a direct result of these efforts the World Animal Health Organization recognizes 75 percent of Colombia as free of FMD with vaccination: Colombia hopes to increase to 100 percent free by May 2008. ¶4. Colombia's government and private sectors are committed, both politically and economically, to eradicating FMD from the country. Given Colombia's progress and demonstration of political will -- and its willingness to dedicate additional funding following the reduction in USDA moneys -- post does not believe it would be opportune to deliver a message to the MinAg implying that they are not taking FMD eradication seriously. USDA/APHIS Bogota will continue to work with Colombian officials on FMD eradication and report any changes pertinent to this issue. Brownfield