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Date Posted:
April 8, 2025
The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) was enacted in 2017 to regulate the use of antimicrobial drugs for both food animal species and pets. The VFD has moved many formerly over the counter (OTC) drugs to prescription status, requiring veterinarian approval. The VFD is currently nearing completion of the second phase of its three-phase implementation plan.
As the VFD continues to mature, now is an appropriate time to consider what is and isn’t working for the livestock sector, and if any changes to MFB or AFBF policy need to be made.
Questions to consider
- As implementation of the VFD has matured, are livestock farmers having difficulty accessing necessary medications for their animals?
- Are farms experiencing management-altering repercussions due to the VFD?
- Due to veterinary shortages across Michigan and the country, farmers can struggle receiving routine veterinary care. This could lead to farmers lacking a standing relationship with a veterinarian, making it difficult to receive treatments that now require a VFD with veterinary oversight.
- Is a lack of access to veterinarians combined with the VFD causing difficulty for livestock producers in Michigan? Does one have more impact than the other?
- Have farms experienced loss of access to antimicrobials or other treatments due to the VFD?
- Are there instances where the lack of access is due to the transference of VFD requirements on non-VFD products?
- Are other parts of the supply chain (feed mill, nutrition companies, ect.) struggling to comply with the VFD, or pulling eligible products due to the difficulty in following the rules?
- The Food and Drug Association has conducted educational exercises with entities and persons up and down the supply chain.
Policy references
AFBF Policy #307, Section 12 Animal Antibiotics, Livestock and Poultry Health
Additional resources
“Small entity” industry guidance
List of approved animal drug applications
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Pierce Bennett
Livestock Industry Relations Specialist
pbennet@michfb.com