OUTBREAK DISASTER: Foot-and-mouth disease vaccine privatisation long overdue, say farmers, experts
Farmers and experts have welcomed plans to license private manufacturers to produce the Agricultural Research Council’s foot-and-mouth disease vaccine, saying faster local supply could curb outbreaks and reduce reliance on imports. Farmers also welcome the council’s decision on additional vaccine-matching assessments in the UK.
Farmers and experts have welcomed plans to license private manufacturers to produce the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine developed by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). The decision, announced on 21 September 2026, aims to increase local vaccine production capacity, reduce reliance on imports, and strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities.
The ARC's current manufacturing infrastructure is limited in the short term, but allowing suitably qualified private companies to manufacture the ARC vaccine under controlled and conditional licensing arrangements can complement the council's production capacity. However, any private sector manufacture of the ARC's vaccine would still be subject to regulatory, quality, biosafety, and licensing requirements.
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