New $5M Five-Year FMD Preparedness Programme
AUSTRALIA - Australia’s livestock industries and the Federal Government are investing in a new five-year $5 million research programme to address vulnerabilities in Australia’s readiness to control Foot and Mouth Disease.
19 April 2010
1 minute read
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.
