An Ontario biotechnology company is proposing that Ottawa commit up to $50 million to buy doses of a vaccine it has invented to reduce E. coli 0157 bacteria in cattle manure.
Rick Culbert, president of the food safety division of Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. told the House of Commons agriculture committee Feb. 29 that the vaccine, if administered to Canada’s entire cattle herd, would increase consumer confidence in the food supply and reduce the estimated $221 million in annual health-care costs associated with E. coli caused illness from contaminated water and produce.
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E. coli in the local water supply caused deaths and a public health crisis in Walkerton, Ont., in 2000, while recent years have brought widespread illness from E. coli-contaminated vegetables.
Culbert wants MPs to recommend that the federal government launch a national voluntary vaccination program, offering to pick up the cost of the drug for farmers who would be reluctant to spend $3 a dose for a procedure that will do nothing to help herd health.
He said a national vaccination program would cost $50 million if the entire herd was involved.
Culbert said he wasn’t suggesting a government buying program that would benefit only his company.
Other companies will be bringing products onto the market, which could expand the choice and reduce the cost.
“I wouldn’t expect any government program to mandate one specific vaccine, should any (other) licensed E coli vaccine come on the market,” he said.
“Any one of those could be used.”
