Canada is taking a major step forward in bolstering its emergency preparedness for livestock disease outbreaks with the creation of a dedicated national foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine bank. The initiative, led by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), aims to strengthen the country’s capacity to control and eliminate FMD should an outbreak occur.
Two contracts were awarded through a competitive process to Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and Biogénesis Bagó SA to supply a variety of FMD vaccines. These vaccines will form the foundation of Canada’s first independent FMD vaccine bank and will complement existing vaccine access through the North American Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank.
FMD is a severe and highly contagious disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. The disease causes painful blisters in infected animals, leading to reduced mobility, poor feed intake, and lower milk production. Though not a public health concern or food safety issue, an FMD outbreak could severely disrupt animal health and agricultural trade.
According to CFIA, having a domestic supply of emergency-use FMD vaccines will be critical for early response and containment, potentially reducing both the spread and duration of an outbreak. This effort aligns with broader national strategies focused on disease surveillance, biosecurity, and strict import regulations, all of which help maintain Canada’s FMD-free status—unchanged since 1952.
The initiative is backed by a $57.5 million investment over five years, with an additional $5.6 million annually for ongoing operations. It reflects strong collaboration between federal, provincial, and territorial governments, as well as agricultural stakeholders across Canada.
Industry leaders representing cattle, pork, and dairy producers have welcomed the announcement, citing the vaccine bank as a crucial tool to protect animal health, farm livelihoods, and Canada’s global trade reputation. With estimated economic losses from a potential outbreak ranging from $22 billion to $75 billion, the establishment of a vaccine bank represents a proactive investment in the resilience of Canada’s agri-food sector.
