“Argentina’s experience in 2001, when we had cases of foot-and-mouth disease, was very difficult, as almost all export markets were lost…”
Víctor Tonelli is a member of the Advisory Board of ADBlick Ganadería, and technical coordinator of the Argentine Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. He was the CEO of Comega S.A. and vice-president of Estancia y Cabaña Las Lilas S.A.
Tonelli has a degree in agricultural sciences from the Catholic University of Argentina, and is a consultant in the area of livestock and animal protein.
Víctor Tonelli, member of the Board of ADBlick Ganadería
AgriBrasilis – Why did you warn about the risks of importing vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease?
Victor Tonelli – I am in no way opposed to importing vaccines, I just mentioned that it is necessary to have scientific certainty that it is safe to import vaccines that cover 2 strains (bivalent), in contrast to the national vaccine, which covers 4 strains (tetravalent), including A2001, which was the strain responsible for breaking immunity and is not present in the bivalent vaccine.
In fact, the debate regarding vaccine imports was partially positive, causing a 23% reduction in the cost of the vaccine by the two laboratories that manufacture and distribute it in our country.
“Chile, which prohibits the transit of animals and bone-in meat from neighboring countries, is the only country free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination, now Brazil and Bolivia are seeking this same status, while the other countries maintain vaccination”
AgriBrasilis – Does foot-and-mouth disease still persist in Argentina?
Victor Tonelli – For more than 22 years, no outbreak of the disease has been detected throughout the national territory, where the National Animal Health Service (Senasa) carries out detailed epidemiological monitoring, confirming good levels of immunity, with annual vaccination of adult animals in the autumn and twice a year for animals under 2 years of age (autumn and winter).
AgriBrasilis – What are the costs included in the price of the vaccine and how do they impact farmers?
Victor Tonelli – Vaccination basically has two components in its cost: the vaccine itself; and costs related to the purchase, packaging and vaccination service, carried out with workers from the private entities responsible for the mandatory application.
The vaccine itself has the same price for all vaccination companies in the country, while what varies are the structure and mobility costs. On average, the total cost is approximately 1 kg of calf per vaccinated animal, with 60/65% being the cost of the vaccine and 35/40% being the cost added by the vaccinating entities.
The question for many of us is whether it is necessary to continue paying for the vaccination service of these companies, given that vaccination could be done with the resources of each production unit. Furthermore, it would be important to analyze whether the costs of the vaccinating companies also need an adjustment.
Another factor being discussed is whether it is necessary to continue vaccinating older animals, since the immunity obtained in younger animals may be sufficient. Furthermore, there are those who believe that we could even stop vaccinating. These points always generate doubts and fears given the difficult experience Argentina had in 2001.
AgriBrasilis – Some States in Brazil and Bolivia have decided to stop vaccinating against foot-and-mouth disease, while Paraguay is studying this measure. What does Argentina need to do to achieve the status of foot-and-mouth disease-free country without vaccination?
Victor Tonelli – These changes highlight that there is still fear on the part of farmers about the risks of a possible breakdown of immunity, taking into account that the disease still causes damages worldwide, such as the cases that have kept Australia on edge due to outbreaks in neighboring countries and islands that could have led to serious problems, as Australia is the second largest exporting country.
Argentina’s experience in 2001, when we had cases of foot-and-mouth disease, was very difficult, as almost all export markets were lost and took a long time to recover, including the United States, where it took us more than 10 years to re-enter.
AgriBrasilis – What is the situation regarding the disease in the countries that border Argentina?
Victor Tonelli – Chile, which prohibits the transit of animals and bone-in meat from neighboring countries, is the only country free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination, and now Brazil and Bolivia are seeking this same status, while the other countries maintain vaccination.
AgriBrasilis – What is expected from beef exports and how to improve the added value and prices obtained?
Victor Tonelli – Argentina is the fifth largest exporter in the world, with volumes representing approximately 7% of the global total. It is a strong growing market, which has doubled the volumes sold to all destinations, with strong growth in demand in Asia, particularly in China, representing almost 30% of our meat supply destination for our country, which is growing.
China is a market in which there are still strong access limitations and high tariff costs, which strongly limit the addition of added value. Changing this requires a consistent public-private task, which allows reducing restrictions and entry costs through bilateral or multilateral negotiations.
READ MORE: