The Peruvian Ministry of Production (Produce), through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Health and Safety Authority (Sanipes), received approval from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on Peru's self-declaration as a country free of four diseases that affect the rainbow trout species (Oncorhynchus mykiss), after evidence was provided of compliance with the guidelines contained in the corresponding chapters of the OIE Aquatic Animal Health Code.

Thus, Peru declared itself free of the viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHS), the epizootic hematopoietic necrosis virus (EHN), the infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHN), and the salmonid alphavirus (SAV).

The Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Jesús Barrientos, highlighted the research work carried out to protect the species and quality products for export. "This self-declaration makes it easier for fish farmers to negotiate their products with other countries that are interested in buying in compliance with current health measures and free of diseases, and in this way generate healthy and lasting trade," Barrientos said.

Likewise, this self-declaration of animal health status approved by the OIE for the rainbow trout species constitutes an important commercial tool, since it allows the country's health status to be visible internationally.

"The publication before the OIE of Peru's self-declaration as a country free of these diseases constitutes a great achievement for the trout aquaculture sector, strengthening its sanitary conditions. Furthermore, it allows the country to initiate negotiations with international markets, thus demonstrating the quality of the health authority in its role as a veterinary service," stressed Mónica Saavedra, executive president of Sanipes.

Self-declarations are the result of the confirmation of the absence of infectious diseases throughout the country for at least the last two years, as well as the specific legal framework for health implemented, diagnostic capacity, prevention and biosecurity measures, notification and early response.

According to data from FAO, Peru was the sixth largest producer of farmed trout in the world in 2020 with 54,188 tonnes after Iran, the EU, Turkey, Norway and Chile. During 2024, trout exports in Peru represented a FOB value of USD 32,826,670, Produce reported.