Ottawa, Ontario (Rural Roots Canada) – Canada is beefing up its defence against foot-and-mouth disease, one of the most dangerous livestock diseases in the world.
The federal government has announced the creation of Canada’s first dedicated foot-and-mouth disease vaccine bank. Contracts have been awarded to two international suppliers to stockpile vaccines that will be readily available in case of an outbreak.
Foot-and-mouth disease, or FMD, is a highly contagious virus that affects cattle, pigs, goats, and sheep. While it poses no risk to humans, it can devestate herds and cripple exports. The economic impact of an outbreak in Canada could be in the tens of billions of dollars.
The vaccine bank is part of a broader preparedness plan led by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), with support from provincial governments and industry leaders. Paul MacKinnon, President of the CFIA, says the creation of a dedicated FMD vaccine bank is proof of its commitment to enhancing Canada’s animal disease preparedness and prevention plans.
“Securing our own supply of FMD emergency vaccines will not only help reduce the spread during a potential outbreak but also help protect the livelihood of Canadian farmers by minimizing the impact on international trade,” says MacKinnon.
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Industry groups, including the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA), the Canadian Pork Council (CPC), and the Dairy Farmers of Canada, are calling the FMD vaccine bank a game-changer, saying it strengthens Canada’s ability to stay FMD-free while ensuring a safe, stable food supply for Canada.
“Establishing a dedicated FMD vaccine bank is a vital tool in safeguarding the health of our livestock, market access and the future of our industry,” says Tyler Fulton, President of the CCCA, in a release. “This announcement marks a key milestone towards our shared goal of strengthening Canada’s preparedness against the threat of foot-and-mouth disease.“
René Roy, Chair of the CPC, agrees. “The FMD vaccine bank is an important investment in protecting Canadian livestock and livestock producers from this disease.”
David Wiens, President of the Dairy Farmers of Canada, calls it a welcome and pivotal step to improving existing industry defences against the disease. “This is vital for protecting animal health and farm sustainability, contributing to a safe, reliable, and consistent food supply for Canadians,” says Wiens.
Canada has been free of foot-and-mouth disease since 1952, and officials say this new investment will help keep it that way. There are still risks to Canada’s agriculture sector, however, due to recent outbreaks overseas in Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia.
