Foot and Mouth Disease vaccination

The non-vaccination policy was set up for reasons of international trade. Countries free from Foot and Mouth Disease prohibit the import of animals or animal products from countries that vaccinate against FMD.

Previously to obtain FMD free status, necessary for international trade:

• The exporting country had to be free of FMD
  
• No vaccination against FMD could have taken place in the past year.

The long period of 1 year, during which export to important markets like Japan and the US was blocked, resulted in exporting countries being reluctant to start vaccination in the case of an outbreak.

In the past it has not been possible to differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals. FMD vaccination has thus hampered efforts by governments to monitor the disease. The development of new marker vaccines and test kits now allows the differentiation between vaccinated and infected animals. Foot and Mouth Disease legislation has now been changed for countries to obtain FMD free status after vaccination.

For more information on vaccines and test kits please go to FMD Product Information.