USDA Working To Prepare For Livestock Diseases

One of the goals of the 2018 Farm Bill is to enhance the protection of the livestock industry from diseases.  To help with that effort, the USDA has increased the amount of money going toward three efforts.

“Our animal disease preparedness and response our national animal health laboratories network abilities as well as our national animal vaccine and veterinary countermeasures bank.”

Dr. Sarah Tomlinson with USDA's Animal Implant Health Inspection Service says they've just awarded $5 million to beef up the national network of laboratories so they can develop better and quicker diagnostic methods.  She added there's another $5 million for for such things as training exercises so if a disease like foot and mouth is detected, “We are better prepared to handle it; we've planned, we've practiced, we are ready to respond.”

Finally, Tomlinson said UDSA will be contracting with suppliers to buy Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine and by the end of this year they are targeting to invest between $15-$30 million to start building a FMD vaccine bank.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com