The initiative, presented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), aims to address health risks through a comprehensive approach. At the program’s launch, ChileCarne emphasized the importance of modern regulations, technologies, and public-private coordination for safeguarding production, animal health, and foreign trade.
The FAO-SAG program, “Mitigating Risks at the Interface Between Humans, Animals, Plants, and the Environment by Strengthening Epidemic Intelligence and Biosecurity,” was launched on May 14. The program aims to help transition to modern, preventive health management. The event brought together officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, academics, and associations such as ChileHuevos and ChileCarne, among others.
Juan Carlos Domínguez, President of ChileCarne, spoke about the meat sector’s experience with growing global health challenges, highlighting the constant threat posed by diseases spread by migratory birds, such as avian influenza. “Although Chile has unique conditions for food production and an internationally recognized health authority, we are not exempt from risk. Biosecurity is a tool that enables us to protect animal health, facilitate international trade, and maintain market confidence. We need modern regulations, public-private cooperation, and ongoing territorial work in order to be prepared,” he said in his speech.
SAG addressed regulatory advances and pending challenges to strengthening sanitary prevention at the national level. It was emphasized that, now more than ever, a collaborative and dynamic approach to biosafety is needed. Efforts should be aimed at modernizing regulatory frameworks and strengthening capacities in the territories surrounding farms. The importance of the commitment of the private sector and academia to build an effective and sustainable prevention network over time was also stressed.
In line with this perspective, ChileCarne has supported the Wetlands Biosecurity Program for more than a decade. This pioneering initiative focuses on health prevention in rural areas near bodies of water. Its objective is to reduce the risk of contagion between backyard and wildlife by providing infrastructure, training, and active surveillance.
As part of this effort, ChileCarne’s technical team, led by Carolina Larraín, Head of Poultry Health, organized a day of monitoring of wild birds on May 15, which included capturing and taking samples to detect high-impact diseases, such as avian influenza. “Actions such as these are key to anticipating risks. We don’t wait for an outbreak to occur before taking action. We monitor, train, and work directly with producers, especially those in areas close to wetlands where the risk is greater due to the presence of migratory birds,” she explained. “We have managed to build a biosecurity culture with a territorial focus that connects animal health with the experiences of hundreds of small-scale producers,” Larraín added.
The program, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025, has benefited over 200 small farmers. It has promoted the construction and repair of chicken coops and provided feed, vaccinations, and technical support. This experience has been recognized for its ability to predict health threats, protect local production, and foster collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Programs like this one, active surveillance measures, and coordination mechanisms like the one led by the FAO and SAG are essential to developing a robust national health strategy aligned with international standards and a preventive approach that connects science, territory, and production.
