policy
UNDER REVIEWJohne's disease
Johne's is a disease of significant economic importance to cattle and small ruminants.
policy
UNDER REVIEWDisabled livestock
Disabled livestock must be handled humanely. View AVMA's policy on disabled livestock.
policy
UNDER REVIEWTransport, sale yard practices, and humane slaughter of hoofstock and poultry
The AVMA supports science-based guidelines for transport and humane slaughter of hoofstock and poultry, developed in collaboration with experienced…
policy
UNDER REVIEWWildlife-livestock interactions
The AVMA supports use of science-based evidence and peer-reviewed research to direct wildlife-livestock management policies, and funding to research…
policy
UNDER REVIEWPregnant sow housing
Pregnant sows are kept in a variety of housing systems. View the AVMA's recommendations for sow housing and management systems.
policy
UNDER REVIEWVeal calf management
The AVMA supports modern veal calf production practices that meet the welfare and health needs of calves. View the policy on veal calf management.
policy
UNDER REVIEWAABP judicious therapeutic use of antimicrobials in cattle
The AVMA has endorsed these guidelines developed by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners.
policy
Approval and availability of antimicrobials for use in food-producing animals
The availability and effectiveness of antimicrobials, including medically important antimicrobials, are important to support the health and welfare of…
policy
Agriculture inspections at points of entry
The AVMA calls for the Department of Homeland Security to increase the scope, intensity, and innovation of agricultural inspections at points of…
policy
Animal agriculture manure management
The AVMA supports appropriate efforts and actions to prevent negative environmental impacts from wastes generated by terrestrial or aquatic animal…
policy
AVMA animal welfare principles
The AVMA, as a medical authority for the health and welfare of animals, offers eight integrated principles for developing and evaluating animal…
policy
Aquatic ecosystems
The AVMA recognizes the pressing need to ensure the future health of aquatic animals and the ecosystems that support them. Veterinarians can and…
policy
Beak conditioning
Commercial poultry beak conditioning, which includes beak trimming, should be practiced only when necessary to prevent feather pecking and…
policy
Bovine disbudding and dehorning
Disbudding and dehorning of cattle are important for human and animal safety, although they are procedures that cause pain and discomfort. AVMA…
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Extralabel use of medicated feeds, including veterinary feed directive drugs, for minor species
The AVMA supports regulatory discretion in enforcing extralabel use of medicated feeds in minor species under veterinary oversight.
policy
Technologies for pathogen mitigation in food processing
The AVMA supports the use of pathogen reduction processes, such as pasteurization, irradiation, high pressure processing, and other science-based…
policy
Livestock identification and animal traceability
Permanent, unique identification of animals and premises is essential for tracing origin and destination of livestock to protect the nation’s…
policy
USDA leadership in farmed animal health
The USDA is the lead agency for farmed animal health as authorized by the Animal Health Protection Act of 2003.
policy
Organic foods
Food producers should be encouraged to provide medically necessary therapy, including antimicrobials, under a veterinarian’s direction, regardless of…
policy
Docking of lambs' tails
Lambs' tails may be docked for cleanliness and to minimize fly strike. AVMA opposes excessively short tail docking, which is unacceptable for sheep…
policy
Tail docking of cattle
The AVMA opposes routine tail docking of cattle. Current scientific literature indicates it provides no benefit to the animal, and it may cause…
policy
Tail docking and teeth clipping of swine
The AVMA recommends the use of procedures and practices that reduce or eliminate pain associated with tail docking and teeth clipping of pigs. This…
policy
AASV basic guidelines of judicious therapeutic use of antimicrobials in swine
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians and AVMA both support these guidelines on judicious therapeutic antimicrobial use in pork production.
policy
Notification to the veterinarian of violative residues in foods of animal origin
Veterinarians have an essential role in preventing such violations and ensuring the appropriate and judicious use of pharmaceuticals on food animal…
policy
Secure food supply plans
The AVMA recommends that federal and state regulatory authorities along with industry stakeholders continue to update, maintain and use the Secure…