This coming October, the Food and Drug Administration is holding a public International Workshop on Minor Use and Minor Species: A Global Perspective.

The workshop is a result of a partnership between FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Agriculture's minor use animal drug program, the National Research Support Project #7. The purpose of the workshop is to assemble international expertise to discuss the global pursuit of drug approvals for minor species—any animal species other than dogs, cats, horses, cattle, swine, chickens, and turkeys—and minor uses in major species.

Various areas will be discussed, including data requirements for MUMS drug approvals, classification of minor species, and husbandry practices in various regions of the world. The meeting will also focus on methods and strategies to improve cooperation and coordination among national and regional programs to maximize MUMS approvals internationally.

The meeting will be held in Rockville, Md., on Oct. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., and will continue on Oct. 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Registration forms for the workshop are available from www.fda.gov/cvm/default.html and should be completed online. When a draft agenda is available, it will also be included on this site. Individuals who need a paper registration form should contact Anna Roy at Center for Veterinary Medicine, FDA, 7519 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855; phone, (301) 827-2957; fax, (301) 827-4572; or aroy@cvm.fda.gov, by Oct. 6. Limited space is available, so early registration is encouraged. Registration is free.

For additional information, refer to the June 22, 2004, Federal Register or call Dr. Meg Oeller, FDA liaison to the Minor Use Minor Species Drug Program, at (301) 827-3067 or moeller@cvm.fda.gov.

On March 8, 2004, the Minor Use Minor Species Animal Health Act, S. 741, passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Committee. The Committee reported the Senate version of the MUMS bill to the full House of Representatives without amendment on June 24, and the bill is awaiting House action.