Funding Wanted for Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank

Randall Weiseman Cattle, Livestock, Pork

nppc_logo_smallThe National Pork Producers Council wants mandatory funding in the next Farm Bill for a foot and mouth disease vaccine bank. The group says the U.S. is not prepared for an FMD outbreak that could “cripple the entire agriculture sector.” NPPC officials say it is not a matter of “if, but when,” the U.S. livestock industry will suffer a major outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

NPPC President-Elect Ken Maschoff says pork producers are nervous.


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NPPC is leading a livestock coalition seeking $150 million in the next Farm Bill to fund an FMD vaccine bank, and wants the Department of Agriculture to contract now for an off-shore vaccine bank and enough surge capacity to swiftly meet outbreak needs.

(From the National Association of Farm Broadcasters News Service)