The President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, received this Friday in Paris the official recognition from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) that Brazil is a foot-and-mouth disease-free country without vaccination. The certificate was handed over by WOAH President Emmanuelle Soubeyran to Lula in a ceremony. The new health status was approved during the 92nd Assembly of the Organization held on the 29th in Paris, France. "This is a gold medal," Lula said, being photographed and applauded. Brazil declared itself free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination a year ago, after the end of the last immunization against the disease. WOAH certification requires the suspension of foot-and-mouth disease vaccination and the prohibition of vaccinated animals entering the states for at least 12 months before changing the health status, which was fulfilled by the country. Now, with the WOAH certificate, Brazil has international recognition of the highest health ...