BRASILLA, (IICA) – Ministers of agriculture of the Americas, meeting in Brasilia, agreed to strengthen technical cooperation, increase information sharing and improve access to innovative technologies to maximise the prevention and control of the New World screwworm, African swine fever and other cross-border plant and animal diseases.
These pests and diseases are a threat to food security in the hemisphere and the income of farmers and rural communities.
During the conference of ministers of agriculture of the Americas 2025, organised by the government of Brazil and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), ministers resolved to support the Agricultural Health and Food Security Initiative of the Americas as a platform aimed at aligning and strengthening hemispheric efforts in this area.
The ministers and senior officials of agriculture of the countries gathered in the Brazilian capital expressed their commitment to support alignment between the hemisphere’s trade and agricultural production systems, and to defend science-based decision-making in trade processes.
The delegations in the countries, particularly in Argentina and the United States, pointed out that IICA member states comprise the world’s largest net food exporting region, and that maintaining a competitive, safe and healthy agrifood system is key to achieving prosperity and improving public health and the national and regional levels.
