Download Veterinary Feed Directive: What it means for farmers, veterinarians

Veterinary Feed Directive: What it means for farmers, veterinarians and feed suppliers
Products not affected by
VFD:
Background
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Goal: ensure that antibiotics medically important to humans are not used to promote growth in livestock
Effective date: December 31, 2016
Definition
A Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD, also known as a VFD order) is a written statement issued by a licensed veterinarian. It authorizes the
use of a VFD drug or combination VFD drug in or on animal feed. It authorizes the client (animal owner or caretaker) to obtain and use
animal feed bearing or containing VFD drug(s) or combination VFD drug(s) to treat the client’s animals only in accordance with the
conditions for use approved, conditionally approved or indexed by the FDA.
What farmers must do
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Establish a working relationship with a veterinarian
With the vet, co-sign a Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR) form
Obtain a prescription before using antibiotics in feed or water
Administer VFD antibiotics only to those animals for which they are prescribed
Keep records of antibiotic use for two years
Zinc
Copper
Ionophores
Polypeptides
Carbadox
Bambermycin
Pleuromutilin
Anthelmentics
(Fenbendazole, Ivermectin)
Beta agonists (Ractopamine,
Zilpaterol)
Coccidiostats (Clopidol,
Decoquinate, Diclazuril)
VFD Drugs
What veterinarians must do
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Possess sufficient knowledge of the producer and the health of affected animals
Retain original VFDs
Keep copies of VFDs for two years
Send copies of VFDs to farmer (client) and feed manufacturer or supplier
Direct farmer or feed manufacturer to use antibiotics only in the manner described by the product label
Streptogramins Virginiamycin
What feed manufacturers or suppliers must do
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Ensure that feed rations are legal for use
Make sure feed has a legal medicated feed label
Maintain VFD forms for at least two years
Send a one-time “intent to distribute” letter to FDA
For more information
Visit http://www.fda.gov. Type “VFD” in the search box.
Compiled by Illinois Farm Bureau May 2016