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1. The Veterinary Feed Directive: what does it all mean?
By Dr. Heidi Ward, University of Arkansas Extension
PorkNetwork.com
September 2, 2015
In 1996, Congress enacted the Animal Drug Availability Act (ADAA) for the approval and marketing of new animal drugs and medicated feeds. Before that time, drugs used in the animal industry were either over-the-counter or prescription-based. The ADAA created a new category of products called veterinary feed directive drugs (VFD drugs). These drugs were intended for use in or on animal feed (including water) and were obtained by the producer without a prescription. The VFD drug category was created to avoid state pharmacy laws for prescription drugs, which were not applicable to medicated feed. As of October 2015, new VFD regulations will go into effect for animal drugs already labeled as VFD drugs. The new regulations will require the professional supervision of a licensed veterinarian if the VFD drug is deemed medically important. The following provides background information and important points to prepare livestock producers for the upcoming regulation changes.
In 2013, the Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) published a guidance document, which called on animal drug companies to voluntarily stop labeling drugs that are medically important as drugs that can be used to promote animal growth. The purpose of this request was to decrease the incidence of antibiotic resistance in both human and animal medicine. The guidance document also requested that animal drug companies change the labeling of their products to require a written VFD order by a veterinarian. The CVM felt that putting these drugs under veterinary control would guarantee that they would be used only when necessary for assuring animal health. All of the animal drug companies contacted committed in writing to participate in the new drug marketing strategy. The VFD final rule was published in the summer of 2015. Animal drug companies have until January 2016 to relabel their VFD drugs.
The most important provision of the VFD final rule is the requirement of veterinarians to issue all VFD orders within the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR).
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2. Workshops next week examine stewardship of antimicrobial drug use in food animals
By Farm Foundation
Bovine Veterinarian
September 2, 2015
There is still time to register for the workshops on stewardship of medically-important antimicrobial drug use in food-producing animals planned for Wednesday, September 9 in Mesa, Ariz. and Friday, Sept. 11, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Extension Center, Amarillo, TX.
Organized by Farm Foundation, NFP, the workshops are an opportunity for participants to gain a comprehensive understanding of two Guidance for Industry (GFIs) issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the use of medically-important antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals, as well as the FDA's revised Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). These actions mean some drugs will see label changes allowing only therapeutic uses, and for some drugs veterinary oversight will be needed in the form of a veterinarian's prescription, direct administration by a veterinarian, or a veterinary consultation on disease management protocols.
This free workshops, which will be 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., are targeted to all pork, cattle, poultry and sheep producers, as well as veterinarians and feed suppliers in Texas, Eastern New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Southeastern Colorado. The workshops also are an opportunity for state and federal agencies, colleges of veterinary medicine and university extension personnel to gain insights into the changes and tools needed to meet the requirements.
There is no charge to participate. Advanced registration is requested but not required. Registration can be completed online* or by going to the Farm Foundation website, which also lists additional workshops scheduled in locations across the country during September and October.
[*See: https://secure.farmfoundation.org/np/clients/farmfoundation/eventRegistration.jsp?event=386& ]
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3. Turkey industry, avian influenza recovery featured at state fair [MN]
Echo Press
September 2, 2015
Because of this year's highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak and the state's commitment to stopping the spread of HPAI, attendees at the Minnesota State Fair won't see any live bird exhibits.
However, state agriculture and animal officials want to highlight the importance of the turkey and poultry industries in the state, discuss how the disease has impacted family farmers and share the state's recovery strategy.
"We feel the Minnesota State Fair is the right venue to highlight the contributions of the turkey and poultry industries," said agriculture commissioner Dave Frederickson. "This disease has had a big impact on growers, but they are resilient. Through education and consumer support, we can make sure this industry survives and thrives."
When fairgoers visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture exhibit in the North Hall of the Agriculture Horticulture Building, they can speak with veterinarians and animal health officials about HPAI, hear about the safety of the food supply and learn why no bird exhibits will be seen at the fair.
Since the first case of HPAI was discovered in Minnesota in March, 9 million birds were infected on 108 farms across the state. At least 60 of those farms already have birds back in their barns.
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4. Wildfire smoke a concern for horses [WA]
J.C. Cortez
The Reflector
September 2, 2015
RIDGEFIELD - As smoke from distant wildfires clogged Clark County skies and dropped local air quality to "unhealthy" levels last week, authorities warned residents to stay indoors while worried horse owners throughout the area were left to wonder if their animals would be safe outside.
"You have to be careful with horses; especially horses that already have respiratory problems," said Dr. Anne Marie Ray, an equine veterinarian at the Ridgefield Equine Clinic.
Community Foundation
Ray advised horse owners that last week's episode was light enough that it wasn't inherently dangerous, but it was bad enough to require them to keep a close eye on their animals.
"With the current situation with the smoke, we do worry about the horses and the allergens that come along with that. We do recommend people be caution of that," Ray said.
For horses with chronic or severe allergies, or horses affected by the condition known as recurrent air obstruction, allergens and pollutants have the potential to cause severe reactions. Even light smoke can be dangerous to some horses, Ray said.
"Those horses will sometimes be observed to have increased respiration rate. They will also look like they are really having a difficult time actually taking a breath," she said.
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5. Animal welfare coalition petitions USDA
By Erica Shaffer
Meat&Poultry.com
September 2, 2015
WASHINGTON - A petition seeking changes to federal livestock slaughter rules would actually jeopardize humane handling of livestock and animal welfare at meat processing plants, the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) said in response to the petition.
A coalition of animal welfare groups on Sept. 2 petitioned the US Dept. of Agriculture to change policies under the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA) and Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA). The coalition includes the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Compassion Over Killing, Farm Forward, Farm Sanctuary, Mercy for Animals and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
The coalition claims the Food Safety and Inspection Service is not meeting its statutory obligations under HMSA. The group based its claims on undercover investigations conducted by animal welfare groups and "every government report that has examined the issue," the petition states.
To address "lackadaisical" enforcement of humane slaughter rules, the coalition is seeking five revisions to the Code of Federal Regulations.
One proposed change calls for mandatory enforcement standards for Noncompliance Records (NR) and suspensions. For example, multiple stuns would always result in at least a plant suspension.
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6. OSU Extension calls for voluntary poultry registration [OH - edited]
By Sarah Noggle, OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources
Paulding Progress
September 2, 2015
PAULDING - "It's a critical part of our countywide emergency preparedness plan," stated Sarah Noggle, Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Paulding County. "If avian influenza (AI), also known as the bird flu, were to hit Paulding County, it would be very devastating to our county as a whole."
Safety for our community members is our number one concern. Currently, the two strains of AI have not affected any humans in the United States.
Our countywide emergency preparedness team has had to change our overall plan because if avian influenza were to hit the county, the euthanized birds would need to be either composted or hauled to landfills. Our original plan, which was set by USDA Animal Health Division, was to bury dead birds in biosecure bags. After some research has been conducted and water table levels were better identified, burial is not an option for any part of Ohio, according to USDA. These changes of requirements took place a few weeks ago.
The main carriers of AI are the water fowl migratory species.
Avian influenza virus particles can stay alive for days.
Biosecurity on commercial and backyard poultry farms are at a high. I cannot stress enough the importance of "barn boots" and separate barn clothes to our backyard poultry growers.
Our overall goal at the Extension Office is education and preparation in the event avian influenza hits here in Paulding County. We want to create better lives and stronger communities for the citizens of Paulding County. This voluntary registration is just one of those ways to keep the citizens safe.
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7. Andres Perez named to endowed chair position at Minnesota
By University of Minnesota
Bovine Veterinarian
September 1, 2015
Andres Perez, DVM, Ph.D., has been selected as the Endowed Chair in Global Animal Health and Food Safety at the University of Minnesota, university officials announced.
At the university, Perez has been involved in MN Drive research projects and has been successful in addressing global challenges in infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza, bovine tuberculosis, and porcine epidemic diarrhea viral disease, according to a news release.
The Endowed Chair in Global Animal Health and Food Safety will engage individuals and organizations in the integration and dissemination of knowledge that promotes innovative, responsible and effective solutions to animal health and food safety challenges at local, national and global levels, the release said.
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