The Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) published a document in the Official Gazette.

SAGARPA said the declaration should have a positive impact on the development of national poultry production, worth more than 180 billion pesos, making it more competitive and profitable. It should give certainty, and strengthen trade and access to national and international markets.

Before issuing the declaration, the technicians of the National Health, Food Safety and Quality Service (SENASICA) conducted an effective surveillance operation by taking organ samples and swabs from both backyard and commercial poultry production units nationwide.

These samples were processed in state-owned and private laboratories approved by SENASICA for the diagnosis of this disease, in accordance with international standards. The tests confirmed the absence of the causative organism for Newcastle disease, in all of its forms.

SAGARPA said this achievement is the result of cooperation between the Federal Government and State Governments, as well as poultry producers in the country.

Notably, since November 2013, the organisation has not detected the causative agent, so an epidemiological surveillance will be maintained to prevent their reintroduction into commercial poultry and maintain free status from this disease.