The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is reopening the public comment period on a petition from a vaccine manufacturer seeking approval to produce a FMD vaccine on the U.S. mainland.
APHIS is asking commenters to consider the possible risks to livestock associated with the commercial manufacturing of a FMD virus in the US. They are also asking if the risks are offset by the possible benefits associated with the development of the vaccine.
The introduction of a live FMD virus into the US is prohibited by law, but the petition states this strain should not be considered live as the vaccine consists of a modified non-infectious and non-transmissible strain of the virus.
