Veterinary Feed Directive — What Cattle Producers Need to Know
By Kristin Lewis Hawkins
The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) rules go into effect on Jan. 1, 2017. As the calendar creeps closer to that date, you may hear more about the rules and what they will mean to cattle producers, feed dealers and veterinarians.
This new rule will mean something different for everyone, but a couple of key factors will hit everyone equally: The rules will mean more paperwork, and some of the rule details are almost guaranteed to change or remain in a state of flux for some time.
VFD required on Jan. 1. 2017
When the rules go into effect in January, producers will be required to obtain a written authorization from a licensed veterinarian to purchase feed that contains certain antimicrobials that are also deemed medically necessary for human treatment. Some feed manufacturers and suppliers have changed their formulation of the products that previously contained VFD drugs so that they will contain alternative drugs that are not under regulation. It is advised that producers who plan to purchase feed products from distributors or suppliers contact these sources before Jan. 1, 2017, to discuss whether their product is affected. This could save valuable money and time later.
It may also be helpful to become familiar with the new labels that will specify products that require a VFD for purchase. They will be obvious and easy to spot.
Establish a VCPR NOW
Producers will also be required establish a Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) for their animals before any VFD orders can be written. This will mean that a veterinarian must examine your animal or animals before they can write a VFD for a specific condition.
While many producers already have a regular veterinarian, some may only call on a vet as needed for emergencies, and it may have been a while since that last call. Producers are advised to contact their regular vet to verify that a VCPR is on record for their animals or set up a time when one can be established.
If you do not have a regular veterinarian, it is highly advised that you find one before the VFD rules go into effect. Some veterinarians may be fully booked or not taking new patients. With the shortage of large animal veterinarians in many areas of the state, there may also be a scramble for other producers in your area as they try to establish relationships with the few vets available.
Understand the limitations
Some changes under the new VFD rules will include the specification of certain drugs for particular ailments or conditions. Any actual or intended use of a drug in an animal that is not in accordance with the approved labeling will not be permitted.
Veterinarians play an important role in animal and human health and their oversight, as an integral part of the VFD process, will help ensure that medically important antimicrobial drugs will be used in feed according to label directions and only when appropriate to meet specific animal health needs. Therefore, the use of medicated feeds, including those containing a VFD drug or combination VFD drug, is limited to the approved, conditionally approved, or indexed conditions of use. Any extralabel use will not be permitted.
These conditions of use will include duration of treatment, or approved time that the medicated feed can be used. The VFD itself will also have an expiration date, after which a new directive must be obtained from your veterinarian.
The veterinarian will retain the original VFD, whether paper or electronic, and distribute a copy of the VFD to the client and feed distributor.
A VFD can only be issued in writing or by electronic means. Therefore, a VFD order may not be issued verbally, including verbal transmission by telephone. A VFD order may be sent by facsimile, or fax. Each individual VFD directive must be kept on file for 2 years after issuance, either electronically or paper.
Know that plans may change
There are still some details and definitions in the VFD rules that could change. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA), the regulatory agency in charge of implementing and setting VFD rules, is still issuing guidance documents and fielding questions from all segments of the industry.
Some issues, such as how the rules will be enforced, and how the rule’s effectiveness will be measured in the future, are still undecided. New problems are sure to be discovered as the system gets into full swing after Jan. 1.
What will be integral to the beef production section of the industry will be the communication they have established and will continue to foster in the coming year. We can and will weather these changes together, as long as we keep an open dialogue and stay informed.
You can be assured that Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and The Cattleman will keep you abreast of the latest updates to the rule and what they will mean for cattle raisers and beef producers in the months to come. -TC
“Veterinary Feed Directive — What Cattle Producers Need to Know” is from the November 2016 issue of The Cattleman magazine.