Thank You for Joining Us

By Dr. Mark Lutschaunig, Director of the GRD

Welcome to the inaugural edition of The AVMA Advocate, our monthly e-newsletter that will keep you informed about the activities in our Nation's Capital. The AVMA Advocate will provide updates on federal legislative and regulatory issues; AVMAPAC; AVMA Congressional Advocacy Network; AVMA Extern and Fellowship programs; and politics in Washington, D.C. Please feel free to forward this enewsletter to friends and colleagues, and use the content in your organization's newsletters. We are excited about this new endeavor, and hope you find it useful.

The AVMA Governmental Relations Division has had a busy month! The Animal Drug User Fee Act reauthorization (ADUFA II) passed in the House and Senate and is on its way to the White House for the President's signature. This legislation authorizes the FDA to collect fees for certain animal drug applications. ADUFA helps the FDA expedite and improve its review of applications for new animal drugs so that safe and effective new products will be available. Numerous drugs were approved under the original ADUFA, including, but not limited to: drugs for osteoarthritis; obesity in dogs; congestive heart failure in dogs; respiratory disease in cattle and pigs; internal parasites in sheep; and separation anxiety in dogs.

The National Veterinary Medical Service Act (NVMSA) is getting closer to being implemented by the USDA. Language in the Farm Bill reauthorization directed the USDA to promulgate regulations for NVMSA within 270 days of passage of the Farm Bill. The AVMA has been working with the USDA to get the regulations written and the program implemented. In addition, the AVMA is working on appropriations for the program and is pleased to report that the House Agriculture Appropriations Committee earmarked $1M for NVMSA, and the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee earmarked $5M for NVMSA! Congress still has to pass the Agriculture Appropriations bills, but we are very thankful to the House and Senate for their support of this program.

Funding for the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD) is also keeping the GRD staff very busy. FARAD is the primary source of scientifically based recommendations for withdrawal intervals after extra-label drug use. FARAD also is the primary source of residue mitigation information when food animals are exposed to environmental contaminants. Without federal funding, FARAD will shut down at the end of September 2008. The GRD Staff has been working with Congress and the executive branch to find multi-year funding for FARAD. The House Agriculture Appropriations Committee earmarked $400,000 for FARAD, and the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee earmarked $800,000 for FARAD. While we are grateful to the appropriators for the funding, we will be working to increase the funding as the bills move forward in the house and Senate.

Contact Dr. Mark Lutschaunig at mlutschaunig@avma.org with any questions.