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MO lawmaker introduces veterinary feed directive bill

A U.S. Representative from Missouri is co-sponsoring a bill that would repeal a new antibiotic guidance in place this week for livestock producers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration now requires livestock producers to have a veterinarian’s prescription to use injectable and oral antimicrobials including penicillin, tetracycline and sulfa products. The guidance was issued in response to concerns about antimicrobial resistance and is another phase of the Veterinary Feed Directive that went into effect in 2017.

Eric Burlison calls the guidance burdensome to cattle producers. He says the Stop Government Overreach in Ranching Act would also prevent the FDA from issuing a similar guidance or rule in the future.

The other bill sponsor, a U.S. Representative from Oklahoma Josh Brecheen, says the FDA’s new requirement can put livestock at risk if a preferred veterinarian isn’t available to give a producer the prescription.

Missouri Farm Bureau is supportive of the bill.