The national Government and Livestock Industry Policy Forum which was held in Canberra in November 2001 identified access to stocks of vaccine as a critical component of Australia's preparedness to respond to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in this country.

As the outcome of a process initiated at the Policy Forum, in September 2004 Animal Health Australia contracted with Merial, a major international manufacturer of veterinary pharmaceuticals, to establish an FMD Vaccines Bank for the exclusive use of Australia.

Merial were selected as the preferred supplier after a detailed evaluation of Australia's requirements and the capabilities of the various international suppliers to meet those requirements.

The bank which is held at Merial's facility at Pirbright in the UK consists of sufficient quantities of antigens of nine strains of FMD for the manufacture of vaccines to enable Australia to respond to an outbreak of FMD.

The quantities and strains of antigens held in Australia's vaccine bank have been determined by a risk analysis process that considered the incursion and outbreak scenarios that might affect Australia.

The contract between Animal Health Australia and Merial requires Merial to manufacture and deliver the required vaccines to Australia within seven working days of an order being lodged. Merial's experience in responding to outbreaks in other countries suggests that the vaccines could be delivered within five days of an order.

Funding for Animal Health Australia to establish and manage the FMD Vaccine Bank has been shared by the Commonwealth government, the eight State and Territory governments and affected national livestock industry associations including Australian Pork Limited, Cattle Council of Australia, Australian Dairy Farmers Limited, Australian Lot Feeder's Association, Sheepmeat Council of Australia, NFF on behalf of Woolproducers and the Goat Industry Council of Australia.

Animal Health Australia is advised in its management of the FMD vaccine supply contract by a committee comprising representatives from each of the two levels of government as well as a representative of the industry funding parties with technical advice being provided by an appointee of the Director of the CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratories (AAHL), Geelong.

The contract with Merial also provides for any necessary test work involving the vaccines to be undertaken by the CSIRO at AAHL.

Page Updated: 1 July 2005