Australia’s livestock industries and the Federal Government are investing in a new five-year $5 million research program to address vulnerabilities in Australia’s readiness to control Foot and Mouth Disease.
The beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goat and pig industries and MLA’s Donor Company are investing $2m in funding over the first two years of the program 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 program at the FMD Symposium and Workshop today saying it aims 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.
“Markets around the world have stringent and unwavering laws on their food imports and in the event of Australia contracting FMD, we would be locked out of all trade with our customers,” he said.
“Economic losses would be devastating – in the order of $4m a day according to estimates by the Australian Productivity Commission.
“In addition, 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.
“There have been major developments in the global research community in understanding this devastating disease and Australia is now in a position to use this to ensure we are best prepared in the event of an outbreak.”
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 program 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.
“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,” Mr Palmer said.
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