Foot-and-mouth disease vaccine supply deal secured

Australia is ramping up its defences against foot-and-mouth disease, after tapping a pharmaceutical company to provide antigens and vaccines.

FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral disease that affects cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and camelid species.

An FMD outbreak would be disastrous for Australia's livestock industry and could wipe out an estimated $80 billion of its value in 10 years.

The ...