Objective:
To form a Global Foot and Mouth Disease Research Alliance (GFRA) for the purpose of fostering research cooperation and technical exchange through a matrix approach for the GFRA participants to: - enhance each party's specific expertise; - safely carry out research into Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD); - promote knowledge and awareness in relation to FMD; and - bring to bear the required cutting edge technologies that can realistically deliver them a new generation of vaccines and related strategies in relation to FMD. The goal of GFRA is to respond to the increasing threat and the lack of countermeasures to prevent foot and mouth disease (FMD) and provide alternatives to mass animal destruction through accelerated development of new tools and measures such as innovative vaccines and biotherapeutics specifically designed for control and eradication.

Approach:
The Parties will cooperate to identify Fields of Research. A Field of Research is one which fulfils the following criteria: (a) it is of sufficient strategic, tactical, or commercial interest; and (b) it is withing the capacity of each Party to carry out its obligation. The Fields of Research will be in the area of detection, managment and eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), and any other areas of scientific research and development the Parties agree to focus on.