In July 2012, Japan officially recognized Brazil's FMD-free status without vaccination of pigs in Santa Catarina. To complete the process and finalise permission of exports, the country's veterinary authorities sent MAPA the requirements for the preparation of a CSI, that is, certification of a disease-free zone.

Celio Porto, MAPA's Secretary of International Relations, said that this is the first case of acceptance of a FMD-free zone without vaccination. Until then, Japan had only accepted meat imports of animals susceptible to the disease so long as there was transparency in the country of origin.

Japan's Ministry of Agriculture demanded certification of the disease-free status of Santa Catarina and representatives of MAPA's Secretariat of Agricultural Protection (SDA) ran an analysis of the pork sector along with the government of Santa Catarina.

According to Mr Porto, pork exports to Japan can be highly beneficial to the Brazilian economy. He said that negotiations had begun back in 2006 and the completion of the process is coming close to an end. This is expected to have a positive effect on the region's economy.

"Finally Santa Catarina can earn positive economic benefits for its efforts to make and maintain a disease-free status without vaccination," the Secretary said.