Brazil declared free of foot-and-mouth without vaccine New status may unlock beef markets like Japan, Philippines30 May 2025 30 May 2025 2 minute read 2 minute read By: By: Global Ag Media South AmericaThe World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has recognised Brazil, the world's leading beef exporter, as a country free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination, Reuters reported, citing a Brazilian official and a spokesperson for the intergovernmental body. Brazilian lobbies representing some of the largest Brazilian meatpackers, including JBS, Minerva and Marfrig, said the development was historic, as it can help Brazil to win new markets. It added the Philippines and Indonesia have expressed interest in importing beef offal based on the health status. In May 2024, when Brazil announced the end of the vaccination cycle against foot-and-mouth disease, Favaro said it moved Brazil "to the next level of the world's health elite". At the time, Brazil's goal of being free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination by 2026 was brought forward to 2025, the ministry said.