Mato Grosso completes 30 years without a recorded case of foot-and-mouth disease.

Mato Grosso will complete 30 years without a recorded case of foot-and-mouth disease in 2026. The last outbreak of the disease in the state occurred in 1996, and since then, maintaining the health of the herd has been part of a continuous effort of surveillance, prevention, and participation by rural producers. The Famato System reinforces the commitment of livestock farmers to animal health and the sustainability of livestock farming.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle, buffalo, pigs, sheep, and goats. In cattle, the main signs are fever, loss of appetite, excessive salivation, and the appearance of vesicles and lesions in the mouth, muzzle, hooves, and teats. The disease can also cause weight loss, decreased milk production, and difficulty walking. In young animals, it can cause death due to heart problems.

Although mortality is generally low among adult animals, the impact of the disease goes beyond clinical effects on the herd. Its high transmissibility can compromise production and lead to restrictions on the movement and marketing of animals and animal products. Therefore, an outbreak generates negative economic impacts for producers, industry, and society as a whole.

"Mato Grosso has the largest cattle herd in the country, and 30 years is a milestone that demonstrates the importance of the continuous work of everyone involved in animal health defense, especially the producer. Maintaining constant vigilance is essential to protect our animals and preserve the strength and competitiveness of Mato Grosso's livestock industry," emphasizes the president of Famato, Vilmondes Tomain.

An achievement that requires continuous vigilance.

In addition to three decades without any recorded cases of the disease, Mato Grosso has made progress in consolidating its sanitary status. In 2024, the state was recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) as free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination, following the suspension of vaccination in 2023. International recognition as a country free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination occurred on May 29, 2025, granted by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WHO). This recognition marked a new stage for the sanitary defense of Mato Grosso's livestock, focusing on surveillance and prevention of the reintroduction of the disease.

With the new status, attention to animal health remains part of the routine on farms. Identifying signs consistent with the disease and reporting them to official agricultural defense services are important measures to prevent its reintroduction.

“The Mato Grosso producer already has a routine of caring for the herd, and it is these good sanitary practices that need to be continuously improved. Daily observation of the animals, control of movement, application of dewormers and vaccines, maintenance of records and communication to the defense agencies when there is any suspicion are part of this work,” explains Marcos Carvalho, technical advisor in Livestock at Famato.

The Famato System continues to support rural producers in matters related to animal health and livestock farming. Through the National Rural Learning Service of Mato Grosso (Senar MT), livestock farmers can count on training in topics such as vaccination and herd management, in addition to Technical and Managerial Assistance (ATeG).

Health status expands access to markets.

Quality and sanitary safety have contributed to the increasing expansion of the international export market for meat from Mato Grosso. Sanitary status helps to improve access to markets that establish specific requirements for the origin of animal products. An example is the opening of the Philippine market to the export of pork and beef with bones and offal from Mato Grosso.

The size of the market reached by animal protein chains is also reflected in the data monitored by the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (Imea). Between January and August 2026, Mato Grosso exported 665,910 tons of beef in carcass equivalent, equivalent to 25.77% of Brazilian exports, with revenue of US$3.16 billion.

During the same period, pork exports totaled 32,360 tons, corresponding to 3.14% of the Brazilian volume, with revenue of US$66.68 million. The figures show the size of the animal protein chains for Mato Grosso's foreign trade and reinforce the importance of maintaining the sanitary standards that support market access.