WoolProducers leads industry push to restore footrot vaccine for Australia's sheep and wool producers

WoolProducers Australia (WoolProducers) are currently undertaking an open call for expressions of interest

(EOI) from organisations able to bring the R-Pilus Footrot vaccine back to Australian sheep producers, with

the support of the University of Sydney.

The Footrot R-Pilus Vaccine was developed by the University of Sydney and Australian Wool Innovation, with

around $1.5 million of woolgrower levies matched by Australian Government funding. It was previously

available to farmers under an Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) Emergency

Use Permit.

That permit-based access came to an end in late 2020, when manufacturing and regulatory issues prevented

ongoing supply. Because the R-Pilus footrot vaccine was never fully registered and only ever available under

permit, producers were left with no legal pathway to obtain it once that supply stopped. Australian sheep

and wool producers have had no access to the vaccine since.

Footrot is a contagious, bacterial disease that significantly impacts the welfare of affected sheep. A report by

Meat and Livestock Australia in 2022 reported that virulent and benign footrot costs the sheep industry

$82.2 million per annum, with an estimated net gain from moving all flocks experiencing virulent footrot to

benign footrot of $59.7m.

WoolProducers General Manager, Mr Adam Dawes said, "Footrot is a serious animal welfare and productivity

issue, and producers have been without access to this vaccine for too long."

"This is about getting a proven tool back into the hands of woolgrowers and sheep meat producers."

“WoolProducers Australia has been working continuously to pursue restoration of this vital vaccine since

growers lost access to it in 2020. Together with the University of Sydney, manufacturers, APVMA, AWI and

MLA we have explored every avenue possible (including all available permits) as a means to restore grower

access”

Mr Dawes said restoring grower access requires full APVMA registration. "A 2025 scoping study confirmed

that full registration is the only path to bringing this vaccine back to growers for good. Unlike a permit, which

is not currently available, full registration gives producers reliable, ongoing access. We're now looking for

capable partners who can take that on and commit to long-term supply."

WoolProducers are seeking suitably qualified laboratories, research institutions and vaccine manufacturers,

or a suitable consortium, that can carry out the research, data collation and registration work needed to get

the vaccine approved by the APVMA and then register, manufacture and supply it to sheep producers.

The University of Sydney, which manages the intellectual property relating to the vaccine, is supporting the

initiative and will work with the successful party on the arrangements needed to progress the research and

registration.

The vaccine can be tailored to the specific footrot strains present on individual farms, making it a flexible,

targeted and highly effective option for producers.

Once key partners are identified WoolProducers will engage with prospective funding organisations (e.g.

RDCs, state and federal governments) to secure financial support to undertake this critical work.

Expressions of interest can be submitted by a single organisation or a consortium, and detailed information

is available in the full EOI document.

Expressions of interest close at 5.00pm on 25th September 2026.

For a copy of the Request for Expression of Interest or further information, suitably qualified laboratories,

research institutions and vaccine manufacturers can contact Adam Dawes, General Manager, WoolProducers

Australia via gm@woolproducers.com.au

ENDS

WoolProducers Australia  contacts:

Jo Hall , CEO: 0488 554 811

Adam Dawes, General Manager: 0455 442 776

About WoolProducers’ Australia

WoolProducers plays a critical role in working closely with companies and entities funded by woolgrower

funds including compulsory levies or fees for service.

Its mission is to develop constructive and profitable outcomes for woolgrowers nationally.