Detection of bovine illegal movement in border area

• Grant number: 15/20073-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2015
• End date: July 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: José Henrique de Hildebrand e Grisi Filho
• Grantee: Fernanda Cristine Tega
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Animal trade is an aggravating factor for the introduction of infectious diseases into new areas by involving movement and contact between animals. Illegal trade is the result of non-compliance with national and international standards related to animal movement, in which the condition and the health management of animals involved is unknown. The analysis of complex networks helps to identify connections between different premises in an attempt to detect possible distortions in animal transport data. The Brazilian state of Mato Grosso has a border area with Bolivia, where there is illegal trade of cattle. Bolivia has regions with not recognized free status for Foot and Mouth Disease and thus the transportation of animals in the region is at high risk, especially when the suspension of the vaccination for the disease is discussed. An effective surveillance system is crucial in this scenario and, therefore, the accuracy of the records of origin and transit of animals is essential. This study will investigate the cattle movements in the border areas of Mato Grosso state with Bolivia, in order to identify possible fraud, categorizing properties as the existence of evidence of the occurrence of illegal animal trade. A comparative analysis between the total number of bovines and the movement of herds in Mato Grosso, an analysis of the total number of bovines in properties that are business partners of others belonging to the border area, and an analysis of the economic viability of animal transport through remote areas will be conducted.