Economy
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimated that Venezuela will be a country free of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in 2012, reported Francisco Arias, the Venezuelan representative in the agency.

In statements to state-run news agency Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias (ABN), Arias added that the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands signed an agreement with FAO to make formal the entry of Venezuela to the Project for Strengthening Policies and Strategies to prevent, control and eradicate the foot and mouth disease, which includes Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia.

"The project is aimed at strengthening the policies and strategies to prevent, control and eradicate foot and mouth disease. It is implemented, together with other Andean countries, to create a security belt in the region, i.e., to build capacity to avert FMD outbreaks and establish FMD-free areas," he said.