Smith opposes new policy on animal antibiotics

When the new year begins, farmers will be required to follow a new veterinary feed directive (VFD) regulation when administering certain drugs to their livestock. A resolution was introduced in Congress that would repeal such regulations.

The VFD regulations will require veterinary approval in the form of a directive when obtaining certain feed-based medications for livestock, which currently do not require such oversight.

The regulations are meant to improve the efficiency of the VFD program while continuing to protect the health of both humans and animals.

According to a news release, Missouri congressman Jason Smith introduced H.R. 5140 because the regulation dramatically would change the process of administering antibiotics to livestock as well as the relationship among veterinarians, feed suppliers and farmers.

The medications that will require a VFD are feed-based antimicrobial drugs the FDA considers medically important in both humans and animals, said Erin Larimore, livestock specialist at the University of Missouri extension.

Medicines such as water-grade antibiotics, which often require a prescription, and injectable products purchased over the counter are not part of the directive.

According to the FDA, if an animal requires a VFD drug, it must be approved by a veterinarian.

Upon diagnosis, the doctor will issue a signed VFD order containing information specified by regulation.

Without a valid, signed directive, a VFD feed may not be distributed.

"Livestock owners will need to have a relationship with their veterinarian to obtain these products. That's one of the main goals of the VFD," Larimore said. "It's to get a veterinarian to weigh in on some of these decisions that are currently being made at the producer level."

Opponents of the directive are concerned further regulation could put the well-being of the livestock in jeopardy.

"It adds steps to the process as well as cost," said Adam Thomas, Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau president. "There could be some struggles for producers dealing with that legislation."

Smith contends, according to a news release, the additional time required to contact a veterinarian and obtain the antibiotics could be critical, particularly because bacteria can travel quickly between animals.

Thomas said speed is particularly important in the case of young animals being weaned from their mothers.

"When they're being weaned, they're losing antibodies from their mother, and their own immune system has to kick in," Thomas said.

Vaccinations are given, but it takes time for the immunities to kick in, so the animals are susceptible to disease, which can spread quickly.

"Antibiotics are expensive. Farmers don't add costs to their operation because it's fun," Thomas said. "They do it as necessary."

The bill, which was introduced April 29, has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

bbrown@semissourian.com

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