The new Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Final Rule takes effect January 1, 2017. The VFD is a set of rules monitoring feed-grade antibiotic use in livestock.

Last year, the FDA released its Guidance for Industry: Veterinary Feed Directive Common Format Questions and Answers to inform the public of the agency’s current thinking on the VFD and apprise small businesses on requirements of the final rule.

The document explains that a “veterinary feed directive” is a written statement “issued by a licensed veterinarian in the course of the veterinarian’s professional practice that orders the use of a VFD drug or combination VFD drug in or on an animal feed. This written statement authorizes the client (the owner of the animal or animals or other caretaker) to obtain and use animal feed bearing or containing a VFD drug or combination VFD drug to treat the client’s animals only in accordance with the conditions for use approved, conditionally approved, or indexed by the FDA.”

Per thecattlesite.com, significant changes under the new rule will be the requirement of an “established veterinarian-client relationship, and a written VFD order from a veterinarian to obtain any VFD feed.” The new rule will also require removal of references to “improved growth rates” and “enhanced feed efficiency” from labels.

Next Wednesday, November 16, the Agricultural and Food Law Consortium will address pertinent aspects of the Veterinary Feed Directive with a free webinar: The Veterinary Feed Directive Rules and How They Will Affect You. Details and sign-in information available here.