FMD Readiness Gets Examined

Nearly 100 leaders in the agriculture industry gathered in Washington, D.C., Oct. 10-11 to participate in a national Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Summit. While the last FMD outbreak in the United States was in 1929, industry and government leaders are working together to keep the U.S. animal population free from FMD and improve protection, prevention, detection, vaccines and tracking measures. The summit was hosted by the Animal Health Network and NCBA.  The meeting was sponsored in part by the Beef Checkoff.

Dr. John Clifford, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) deputy administrator of veterinary services, updated participants on the current state of USDA’s FMD plan. Veterinary and research scholars presented the latest findings regarding FMD control, eradication, and U.S. outbreak scenario implications. Commodity groups including dairy, pork and beef gave updates on specific industry plans and future outlook.

In the event of an FMD situation, industry and government would work together to manage and contain the outbreak. Because of its contagious nature, with nearly 100 percent of exposed animals ultimately becoming infected, FMD could result in sizeable economic consequences felt by many sectors of the U.S. economy, not just cattle production.

Participants left the FMD summit with an action plan for next steps for 2006-2007.  For information, go to: www.fmdinfo.org.