Feed

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on May 28 announced the launch of a global initiative to stymie the spread of African swine fever (ASF). “The objective is to control the disease, strengthen countries’ prevention and preparation efforts, and minimize the adverse effects on animal health, animal welfare and international trade,” OIE said in a statement, noting the initiative will be coordinated with the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. A report presented during the 87th OIE general session this week, entitled “Strategic challenges in the control of African ... Read More

The chief veterinary officers of the United States and Canada issued a May 22 joint statement agreeing to allow safe trade to continue in the event African swine fever (ASF) is reported in either country. “For business continuity, Canada and the United States have worked to modify their export certificates to allow trade of live swine, swine semen, pet food and animal by-products and meat to continue trade in approved disease-free zones in the event of an ASF outbreak,” said U.S. Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Dr. Jack Shere and Canada’s CVO, Dr. Jaspinder Komal. “Zoning is ... Read More

In a letter to leaders of a House appropriations subcommittee, the NGFA this week urged lawmakers to support the president’s budget request of $8 million for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to complete animal food ingredient reviews more expeditiously. The requested funds would allow FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) to obtain more resources and staff dedicated to reviewing ingredients while maintaining necessary safeguards to ensure human and animal health. “The animal food industry currently is experiencing significant challenges with the animal ... Read More

By Dave Fairfield, Senior Vice President of Feed Services The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced May 16 that it is implementing a surveillance plan as part of its efforts to detect and respond to African Swine Fever (ASF) should it enter the United States. As part of the plan, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said it will work with the swine industry, states, and veterinary diagnostic laboratories to test for ASF. ASF, first described in the 1920s in Kenya, is a highly contagious hemorrhagic disease of wild and domestic pigs with extremely high ... Read More

By David Fairfield, Senior Vice President of Feed Services The NGFA participated in the Animal Agriculture Alliance annual summit on May 7-8 in Kansas City, Mo., where the focus was on a wide range of issues being faced by the animal agriculture industry. This year’s event, attended by more than 300, was themed “A Seat at the Table” to reinforce that connecting and engaging with a diverse group of stakeholders – representatives from farms, ranches, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislatures, universities and government agencies – is necessary to effectively address the ... Read More

By David Fairfield, Senior Vice President of Feed Services The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) on May 2 released updated guidelines on the use of hemp and hemp products in animal feed and pet food. Key points from the updated AAFCO guidelines include: “Hemp” as defined by the 2018 farm law — Cannabis sativa L., and any part of the plant, including seeds, extracts, cannabinoids (CBD), isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) of no more than 0.3% on a dry-weight basis —  was removed from the Federal Controlled ... Read More

By David Fairfield, Senior Vice President of Feed Services The NGFA on May 1 published updated editions of two documents that provide guidance on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) policies for the presence of mycotoxins in grain, grain by-products, animal food (feed), and human food. The updated documents were published in response to recent revisions made to FDA’s Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) for action levels for aflatoxin in animal food. Among the revisions made to the CPG were: A new intended-use category was added for pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.) of all ages ... Read More

By Dave Fairfield, Senior Vice President of Feed Services The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 23 announced the availability of a draft guidance for industry and FDA staff to assist in the timely and efficient voluntary recall of FDA-regulated products. The draft guidance, entitled “Initiation of Voluntary Recalls Under 21 CFR part 7, subpart C,” discusses a variety of recall issues, including recommendations associated with: Training appropriate personnel on their responsibilities.Establishing a recall communication plan.Identifying and complying with FDA ... Read More