The Pros And Cons Of The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD)

The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) is a policy concerning the safety of the food chain and the use of medicated feeds without a prescription from a licensed veterinarian. The antimicrobials in medicated feeds are causing a resistance to antibiotics in animals which could potentially transfer to humans once they consume the animal’s products. Creating conflict in whether or not feedlot or dairy operations need to have veterinarians prescribe medicated feeds before feeding it to food-producing animals. There are multiple issues that affect the producers causing myself to resent this directive. Since this was put into effect on January 1st, 2017 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) there have been multiple conflicts regarding the new directive. From a dairy operations manager perspective, I will be talking about the pros and highlighting the cons concerning the Veterinary Feed Directive.

According to the FDA, “”The increasing threat of antibiotic resistance to both human and animal health compelled the FDA to take action by removing production uses of medically important antibiotics and implementing greater veterinary oversight by transitioning over-the-counter antibiotics to VFD or prescription status.” - (Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Basics). As the increased population has caused a rise in production, the new producers are unaccustomed to the dairy industry and as such do not have the knowledge or experience to be medicating their own animals. This resulting in a major need for guidance, if animals become ill. The Veterinary Feed Directive provides all animal producers with the knowledge and guidance they require for medications. Preventing them from over using antibiotics that could potentially be introduced into the food chain. Moreover, the Veterinary Feed Directive protects both animals and the