The Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) has cancelled two Mexican Official Standards, indicating that the country is free of classical swine fever and avian Salmonella.

To protect the national pig and poultry industries and to prevent the re-introduction of these diseases, the Secretariat - through SENASICA - has set up monitoring programmes and epidemiological research.

In the Official Journal of the Federation (DOF) last week, SAGARP published cancellation notices regarding Official Mexican Standards NOM-037-ZOO-1995 National Campaign Against Fever Classical swine (FPC) and NOM-005-ZOO-1993 National Campaign against Avian Salmonellosis.

The cancellation of these Rules in based on the absence of cases of classical swine fever in pigs anywhere in Mexico since 30 January 2009.

Similarly, the last three states have been free from avian salmonellosis since 8 September 2009.

Classical Swine Fever

NOM-037-ZOO-1995 was initiated on 29 October 1996.

In order to avoid the reintroduction of the virus, a national programme of active and passive surveillance and epidemiological research will be set up for commercial and backyard pigs as well as wild boar.

SAGARPA, through the National Health Service, Food Safety and Quality (SENASICA) has established technical guidelines for implementing close surveillance for the timely detection of the virus in domestic pigs.

In addition, the activities of diagnosis, prevention, control and surveillance between the various sectors involved for their protection are strengthened.

Classical swine fever, also known as hog cholera, can seriously affect the health of herds, directly through mortality and reduced production as well as indirectly as the result of the closing of domestic and international markets.

The presence of the virus in a country may imply a serious problem for the producers as well as the decrease in the supply of beef and pork products.

Avian Salmonellosis

On 1 September 1994, the Mexican Official Standard NOM-005-ZOO-1993 National Campaign against Avian Salmonellosis was published in order to eradicate from the country this disease, which causes significant losses to the poultry industry.

On 8 September 2009, SAGARPA declared the last three regions free of the disease, which is now considered exotic to Mexico.

Surveillance activities will be maintained to prevent reintroduction into the country.

Avian salmonellosis is the generic name by which bacterial diseases caused by Salmonella pullorum (Pullorum) and Salmonella gallinarum (fowl typhoid), are known. They cause significant reduction in productivity.

The publication of these notices is part of the fourth goal of the National Development Plan 2013-2018 ('Mexico Prospero'), which aims, among others, to modernise the regulatory and institutional framework of commercial agribusiness.

In addition, the Agricultural Sector Development Program, Fisheries and Food 2013-2018, includes the objective to provide greater certainty in the food business through risk management mechanisms, including strengthening health, safety and food quality to protect the health of the population and increase the competitiveness of the sector through improvements to plant and animal health.