The objective of eliminating foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Brazil has been mainly motivated by the constant preoccupation of Brazilian authorities, livestock breeders and the meat industry with avoiding economic losses due to export restrictions. In 1934, the first national sanitary legislation was enacted, and the Pan-American Foot and Mouth Disease Center in Rio de Janeiro was inaugurated in 1951, with international participation. An overview is given of the past campaigns against FMD, the legislation, policies and field activities. The reasons for the failure of the past campaigns are discussed. The structure of the existing campaign and the present epidemiological situation are explained, and the further possibilities of being recognized as an FMD-free country are discussed.