FDA finalizes its VFD rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) rule, according to Drovers CattleNetwork.

With the rule finalization, livestock ranchers and veterinarians gain insight into the changes they’ll be facing in the way antibiotics are used in food animals and the classification of feed-grade antibiotics.

Manufacturers of feed-grade antibiotics are to make label changes before the full implementation date of December 2016.

The rule will change the classification of “medically important” feed-grade antibiotics from their current over-the-counter status to VFD designation. The antibiotics will be limited to uses for prevention, control and treatment of illnesses in food animals and will also require a VFD form prior to its use.