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Perdue says more funding needed for FMD vaccine bank

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says although the farm bill includes funding for a foot and mouth disease vaccine bank there will likely be a need for more money.

“I think there will probably be more appropriations needed to fund a vaccine bank,” he says.

The bill authorizes $120 million for mandatory animal health and disease preparedness for the first four years. Livestock groups previously asked for $150 million dollars per year.

He says there will also be a need for…

“A network of early laboratory detection as well as understanding the network of vigilance of reporting,” he says.

Perdue spoke to members of the House Agriculture Committee during a hearing Wednesday.

The funding will be used for an FMD vaccine bank, the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and the National Animal Disease Preparedness Program.