Understanding the New Veterinary Feed Directive
Learn the new rules regarding feed-grade antibiotics.
As of Jan. 1, 2017, beef producers must comply with a new rule regarding use of antibiotics in feed. This veterinary feed directive (VFD) is aimed at better management of certain antibiotics considered medically important to humans — putting them under more veterinary supervision. This is part of a larger movement to minimize development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule changes how these antibiotics can be legally used in livestock production. The VFD is a written statement from a licensed veterinarian authorizing the producer to purchase and use certain antimicrobial drugs in livestock feed. It does not apply to antimicrobial drugs injected into individual animals for treatment of disease or to medications added to drinking water.
Russ Daly, extension veterinarian/professor at South Dakota State University, says the way the new VFD works is to think of it in terms of a prescription.
“For instance, if a person needs medication and goes to a doctor, the doctor fills out a form, and you take that to the pharmacy to have the prescription filled. Likewise, you take the form from your veterinarian to the feed store/supplier who sells the medication,” he explains.
The producer needs a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), so the veterinarian can write the VFD order. This is similar to the relationship a patient has with his or her doctor; the veterinarian understands what disease the producer is treating, and why it needs treating, thanks to his or her knowledge of the cattle.
“FDA’s intent is to add checks and balances regarding certain feed additives. It is important for beef producers to know it doesn’t affect every feed additive, mainly the tetracyclines,” he says.
Many medications are not affected, such as those to control bloat or parasites.
“Ionophores like lasalocid (Bovatec®) or monensin (Rumensin®) or melengestrol (MGA) are not on the list. When combinations of these products are used with drugs on the VFD list, however, the VFD would be required,” says Daly.
Producers should talk with their veterinarians to discuss the feed-grade medications they are currently using and find out which ones will be affected.
“VFDs can only be written for what’s on the label of the medication. This includes feeding rate, length of time it will be fed and uses of the drug,” he says.
“It continues to be illegal to use any medication in a manner not on the label. In the past, because these drugs were available over-the-counter, there was no way to make sure these rules were being followed. Now that a veterinarian is involved and has to fill out the form, there won’t be any leeway regarding going off-label in a different dosage rate or using the drug for a disease that is not on the label,” says Daly.
Thus, everyone is assured that these medications are being used in the manner for which they were designed.
“By January 1 the drug manufacturers will have labels up to date, reflecting the FDA requirements. Anyone wishing to use those antibiotics after January 1 will need to have the form. That goes for any of these drugs you purchased earlier and still want to use. The VFD is considered an authorization to feed that medication.”
Along with authorization needed for use of medically important food-grade drugs, there will be changes in medically important drinking water medications, which will now be classified as prescription drugs.
“This includes water formulations of tetracyclines and sulfas. Being a prescription drug means there is some flexibility in use. Veterinarians could authorize extra-label use for these, if they think it is necessary, on a case-by-case basis — keeping records and noting withdrawal times,” he says.
“In some cases, with some diseases, water medication is more feasible for a certain group of animals than feed-grade medications, because there may be more options available,” Daly says.
Your veterinarian will be aware of the possibilities for treating your animals in the best and most appropriate manner.
Editor’s Note: Heather Smith Thomas is a freelance writer and a cattlewoman from Salmon, Idaho.