Brent Credille, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
– New state and federal regulations have been implemented that will have a dramatic impact on how antimicrobials are used in food-producing species. Most producers are familiar with the existing Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) regulations that affect the use of common antimicrobials in the feed and water of production livestock. However, few are familiar with new regulations that go into effect within the next year. The purpose of this document is to outline the restrictions laid out in FDA Guidance for Industry 263 (GFI 263), provide cattle producers with judicious antimicrobial use strategies that will protect animal health, maximize antimicrobial efficacy by strategically managing the development of antimicrobial resistance, and preserve antimicrobial availability.
