Last week Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue authorized the movement of a modified foot and mouth disease virus from Plum Island to the U.S. mainland. The move was made for continued vaccine development and study of F-M-D. R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard says this could lead to a disaster.
He says it’s bad enough the Ag Secretary authorized the relocation of the modified virus onto the mainland, but he’s also allowing it to be located near a major cattle production area.
Bullard says his group doesn’t oppose F-M-D research, but it must be conducted in isolation.
Bullard says FMD research is critical because it’s the most contagious disease known to livestock and could wipe out the industry.
