This week the U.S. Department of Agriculture reopened a comment period regarding a petition from a vaccine manufacturer seeking approval to produce a foot and mouth disease vaccine. South Dakota State Veterinarian Dr. Dustin Oedekoven says USDA is taking the right steps in this process.

Foot and Mouth Disease was eradicated in the United States in 1929 but if it were to infect the U.S. livestock industry would cause devastating economic effects. Oedekoven says F-M-D is a global concern and being prepared for any possible outbreak is the prudent step to take.

He says reopening the comment period is a proper way of being transparent in dealing with the issue.

Public comments will be accepted through January 21, 2021 via the federal register.