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Public comment period open for FMD vaccine project
A vaccine manufacturer is seeking approval to produce foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine consisting of a modified non-infectious and non-transmissible strain of the virus in the U.S. The USDA opened a public comment period to gather feedback on the proposal.
The live virus of FMD is not allowed anywhere in the country except the Plum Island Animal Disease Center where it is held and worked with under very strict biocontainment procedures. This federal exemption will also apply to the new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Kansas.
The vaccine, which was developed jointly with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, is non-infectious, non-transmissible, and incapable of causing the disease because it has been modified in such a way that it is no longer able to produce infection. The manufacturer asserts that because the FMD virus is no longer able to produce infection, it should not be considered live virus of FMD and should be able to be produced on the U.S. mainland.
As part of the petition review process, APHIS is seeking comments from the public on two topics: the manufacturer’s interpretation of live virus and whether there is support for manufacturing the vaccine in the United States. APHIS will accept public comments through September 14, 2020. APHIS will thoroughly review all comments before making its determination.
Notice from APHIS about RFID tags
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking public comment on a proposal where APHIS would only approve Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) as the official eartag for use in interstate movement of cattle that are required to be identified by traceability regulations. Manufacturer coded tags (900 series tags) are excluded.
A transition to RFID tags would support APHIS’ ongoing efforts to increase animal disease traceability by more accurately and rapidly allowing animal health officials to know where affected and at-risk animals are located. While this would not prevent disease outbreaks, it would allow animal health officials to more quickly contain outbreaks early before they can do substantial damage to the U.S. cattle industry.
APHIS is also seeking comment on a proposed timeline for implementation, which the agency would use if this transition occurs. The timeline would make RFID tags the only option for use in cattle and bison requiring official identification on January 1, 2023. APHIS would “grandfather in” animals with metal tags already in place on that date – their metal tags would serve as official identification for the remainder of their lifespan.
This transition timeline would not alter the existing regulations. The cattle and bison that must be identified will not change, nor will the option for animal health officials in shipping and receiving states to agree to accept alternate forms of identification, including brands and tattoos, in lieu of official identification.
Public comments will be accepted through October 5, 2020.
2020 open period for Farm Bill funding opportunities
The USDA is seeking project proposals for fiscal year 2020 funding for the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program and the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.
Up to $10 million will be targeted toward NADPRP projects focused on increasing practical livestock biosecurity measures or advancing rapid depopulation and disposal abilities to be used during high consequence animal disease outbreaks. Up to $5 million will be directed toward NAHLN projects that address needs within the network related to receiving, testing, and reporting results for animal testing.
The 2018 Farm Bill provided funding for these programs as part of an overall strategy to help prevent animal pests and diseases from entering the U.S. and reduce the spread and impact of potential disease incursions through advance planning and preparedness. Proposals must be submitted by September 14, 2020.
Join an upcoming webinar to learn more. July 23, 2020 from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. EDT. To participate, call 1-888-251-2949 and enter access code: 8685577#. Then, join the conference from your computer. Participants may join the webinar 10 minutes before the scheduled start.
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