FDA Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD)

As of January 1 2017, The Mill will require all customers to provide the correct paperwork to order and purchase certain antibiotics or feeds containing these antibiotics. This is in compliance with the FDA’s VFD Final Rule.

In-Store Purchases

All in-store purchases require a customer to present the proper VFD documentation. The paperwork can be brought to any of the six Mill locations.

Note: Some VFD products may need to be transferred from another store, and may not be available on the same day.

Delivery Purchases

All delivery purchases require a customer to submit the proper documentation prior to completing the order. VFD deliveries are to be processed through The Mill of Bel Air.

Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Regulation:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made changes to regulations for certain feed and water-soluble antibiotics used in production animal agriculture. As of January 1, 2017, many antibiotics used in production animals in the U.S. will shift from over-the-counter status to being available only under the advisement of a veterinarian through a veterinary feed directive (VFD). The goals of these changes are to:

• Promote judicious use of antibiotics
• Protect public health
• Help limit the development of antimicrobial resistance

Producer Requirements:

• A producer may feed animal feed containing VFD drug only to animals based on a VFD issued by a licensed veterinarian.
• A producer may not feed a VFD feed after the expiration date on the VFD.
• A producer must maintain all VFD records for 2 years.

What antibiotic/antimicrobial products are affected?

• Only those that are “medically important” – drugs considered important for use in human medicine and used in both animals and humans.
• Only those products that are administered in feed or drinking water
  • Other dosage forms (injectable, bolus) are not affected at this time.
• Production uses (enhanced growth or improved feed efficiency) are no longer allowed for these affected products.
• Therapeutic uses are still allowed, but only under veterinary supervision through a VFD or prescription. Therapeutic uses include:
  • To treat animals diagnosed with an illness.
  • To control the spread of illness in a herd.
  • To prevent illness in healthy animals when exposure is likely.

What drugs are not affected?

Those antimicrobials that are already under VFD (Avilamycin, Florfenicol, Tilmicosin)

• Those antimicrobials that are not considered “medically important”, ie: those products used exclusively in animals but not in humans.
• Other drugs (that are not antimicrobials). Examples below.
• Production uses (enhanced growth or improved feed efficiency) are still allowed in these products.
• Therapeutic uses are still allowed for these but only under veterinary supervision through a VFD or prescription. Therapeutic uses include:
  • To treat animals diagnosed with an illness.
  • To control the spread of illness in a herd.
  • To prevent illness in healthy animals when exposure is likely.

Does The Mill Carry Feeds That Do Not Require VFD’s?

Yes, The Mill has new feed formulas in place that will not require a VFD.  The feeds are the same, but where necessary, the feeds will be medicated with an antibiotic that does not require a VFD, or, they will be non-medicated (designated as “ABF” for antibiotic-free on the tags).

Our livestock experts, Karen Holloway and Dave Holloway, are here to help. To receive more information on The Mill’s new formulas and The Mill VFD policy, contact Karen or Dave.

Karen Holloway

Bel Air Office: 410-838-6111
Cell: 443-807-8642
Email: keholloway@themillofbelair.com

Dave Holloway

Bel Air Office: 410-838-6111
Cell:  717-515-4147
Email: dholloway@themillofbelair.com