Australia invests US$4.58 million in new FMD programme

 

 

Australia's livestock industries and the government are investing in a new five-year A$5 million (US$4.58 million) research programme to address vulnerabilities in Australia's readiness to control foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

 

The beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goat and pig industries and MLA's Donor Company are investing A$2 million in funding over the first two years of the programme which will be managed by Animal Health Australia with the research carried out by CSIRO scientists from the Australian Animal Health Laboratory.

 

MLA managing director David Palmer announced the new programme aimed to better prepare the Australian industry to respond effectively to an outbreak of FMD and thereby minimise disruptions to trade and impacts on the community.

 

Palmer noted community concerns will demand better use of technology to minimise any livestock destruction as the main source of control in such an event.

 

"Vaccines, animal traceability, improved modelling and the use of sophisticated diagnostics underpin an effective and efficient response to FMD. This project will deliver the necessary science on vaccination as a preferable FMD control strategy, and develop the necessary protocols," he said.

 

Australia's governments and livestock industries made a significant investment in an FMD vaccine bank five years ago, which provides Australia with guaranteed access to vaccine.  This has been recently renewed for another five years.

 

Although this provides Australia with assurance of accessibility, there are many unknowns in the application of vaccine to Australian livestock in Australian conditions.

 

During the five-year programme AAHL will conduct research into the application of FMD vaccines in Australian livestock.

 

Much of the work will be carried out collaboratively with overseas countries including South Africa, Argentina, Vietnam and South East Asia as the live FMD virus that is required for this work will not be imported into Australia.

 

Additionally, the completion of the projects in this program will significantly enhance the benefits of investments already made and reinforce the vigilance of the Australian livestock industry to maintain its reputation as a supplier of clean, safe products, he said.