From Where Will The Funds For A Foot & Mouth Vaccine Bank Come?

Experts say if Foot and Mouth Disease were to hit U.S. livestock herds now, the U.S. would not have the vaccines to help control the spread of the highly-contagious animal disease because there is no vaccine bank for the various strains of foot and mouth.  A bank with enough vaccine of the various strains would cost an estimated $100 million a year.

"That's what Congress is wrestling with right now. Their going have to find that money from somewhere to do that," said Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue.  He also noted it's not a matter of the livestock industry convincing lawmakers of the need, but as far as funds.

"The industry has not wanted to step up on their part with any kind of contribution. We'd like to see some skin in the game from the industry as well."

Estimates vary wildly on possible economic loses if the U.S had a Foot and Mouth outbreak.  One study said an outbreak in the Midwest with no vaccine program would cost the U.S. over $180 billion.  The U.S. has not had a report of Foot and Mouth since 1929.