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| Advocacy > Federal > Legislative activities > Current agenda > 110th agenda > Issue brief |
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| Issue brief |
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| Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank |
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| Summary: |
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The Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (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. FARAD is without federal funding for FY2007.
FARAD shut down all public access on May 15, 2007, and with remaining funds, will maintain the existing databank for an additional 6-9 months. Without permanent multi-year funding ($2.5M/yr for 3-5 years), FARAD will discontinue all activities early in 2008. The AVMA is seeking a permanent solution to insure that FARAD will be a viable program in the future. |
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| AVMA Position: |
| The AVMA has long supported increased funding for FARAD. The loss of an earmark for funding of FARAD in 2007 clearly demonstrates the dilemma that has existed throughout FARAD's existence. The AVMA supports permanent multi-year funding at $2.5 million/year, and the legislative score for FARAD is active pursuit of passage. |
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| Purpose |
The Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD), in existence since 1982, develops and maintains a unique food safety databank that provides veterinarians, livestock producers, and state and federal regulatory and extension specialists' information on avoiding both animal drug residue and environmental contaminates in meat, milk and eggs. FARAD's databank provides information regarding the time-course of drug and chemical depletion in the blood and tissues of animals following the routine use of drugs in animal agriculture, for the extra label use of drugs in animal agriculture, and during food contamination emergencies which might arise from exposure to environmental toxins, particularly pesticides, either accidentally or intentionally introduced into the food supply. Additionally, FARAD provides rapid response assistance, through both its telephone hotline and web access, for inquires concerning residue issues that affect food animal health and food product contamination; FARAD provides assistance in trade matters by maintaining databanks of foreign drug approvals; and finally, FARAD trains veterinary students and veterinary medical residents in the principles of residue avoidance.
These functions are provided at three locations: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC; University of California at Davis, CA; and University of Florida at Gainesville, FL. The staff includes 20 clinical practioners, pharmacologists, toxicologists, pharmacokineticists, programmers, and information specialists. |
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| Why AVMA Supports this Issue |
| FARAD is a valuable resource for veterinarians, livestock producers, and state and federal regulatory and extension specialists. In particular, FARAD provides support for the extra label drug use in animal agriculture providing calculations of withdrawal time after such use of drugs in meat, milk, and eggs by clinical veterinary practioners. |
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| Known Opposition to the AVMA Position: |
| No specific opposition to AVMA position. |
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| Current Status: |
| There was no funding for FARAD in 2007. CSREES and FDA-CVM have developed an interagency agreement which will provide some funding for FARAD in 2008. However, this is a short term solution; FARAD must have permanent multi-year funding to remain a viable operation. The House version of the Farm Bill did not contain any language regarding FARAD; GRD is seeking language in the Senate version of the Farm Bill which will begin hearings in October. |
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| For More Information: |
| For More Information: Please contact Dr. Mark Lutschaunig (mlutschaunig@avma.org) at the AVMA-GRD at 800-321-1473, ext. 3205 or visit www.avma.org/grd. |
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American Veterinary Medical Association
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