Health zoning is a fundamental tool for managing animal diseases, as it helps contain outbreaks, protect food production, and ensure the continuity of international trade. Zoning also helps strengthen food security, safeguard the food supply, and increase the competitiveness of production systems in the face of public health emergencies.
Chile stands out for its robust sanitary system, which is supported by the work of the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), disease surveillance, and public-private coordination. These efforts have earned the country international recognition for mechanisms including health zoning, thereby strengthening market confidence and the competitiveness of its agricultural exports.
Representatives from 12 economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, along with international organizations and public and private sector stakeholders, took part in the international workshop “Zoning in Animal Health: Sharing Experiences and Best Practices for More and Better Foods,” an event designed to improve the response to health emergencies and promote more competitive agri-food systems.
The event, held on June 9 in Santiago and organized by Chile’s Ministry of Agriculture, the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (ODEPA) and SAG, was attended by ChileCarne’s executive president, Juan Carlos Domínguez, as well as officials and experts in the fields of animal health and agri-food trade.
During the event, experts from the participating economies analyzed experiences and best practices in the implementation of health zoning, a mechanism that is internationally recognized for its ability to control animal diseases and ensure the continuity of trade flows. This tool has become particularly useful in dealing with high-impact health threats, such as avian influenza, African swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease.
Chile’s recent experience with avian influenza highlighted the importance of having tools to efficiently manage health risks while safeguarding production and access to international markets. For export sectors such as the meat industry, these measures are essential for building trust among trading partners and better addressing potential emergencies.
“Health zoning is a fundamental tool for exporting countries like Chile, because it allows us to respond effectively to potential outbreaks, safeguarding both animal health and the continuity of trade. Gaining greater market recognition is key to strengthening the competitiveness of our exports,” said the president of ChileCarne.
This workshop underscored the value of animal health as a cornerstone of food security, the continuity of production systems, and international trade. During the working sessions, the participating economies exchanged experiences, analyzed common challenges, and worked on developing recommendations that will serve as the basis for a future APEC Reference Guide on Zoning for Animal Health.
Through this effort, Chile aims to strengthen regional cooperation and share its experience in dealing with health risks, promoting tools that help protect animal health, strengthen food production, and facilitate safe and sustainable international trade.