In a landmark meeting held in Brasilia on November 5, 2025, the Ministers of Agriculture from across the Americas convened to address the escalating threat of cross-border plant and animal diseases. Organized by the Brazilian government in collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the conference underscored the urgent need for enhanced technical cooperation, improved information sharing, and access to cutting-edge technologies to combat diseases such as the New World screwworm and African swine fever. These diseases pose a significant risk to food security and the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities throughout the hemisphere. The ministers unanimously agreed to bolster the Agricultural Health and Food Security Initiative of the Americas, a strategic platform designed to harmonize and amplify regional efforts in safeguarding agricultural health. Emphasizing the importance of science-based decision-making in trade processes, the delegates, particularly from Argentina and the United States, highlighted the critical role of maintaining a competitive, safe, and healthy agrifood system. As the world’s largest net food exporting region, the Americas are committed to ensuring prosperity and enhancing public health at both national and regional levels. The IICA, a specialized agency within the Inter-American system, continues to play a pivotal role in fostering agricultural development and rural well-being through its international technical cooperation initiatives.
Hon. Anthony Smith Among Agriculture Ministers Taking Action Against Crop and Animal Diseases
