Animal Agriculture Liaison Committee

Charge/Objective

The committee is charged with the following activities:

  1. Identify present and future issues of mutual concern to the veterinary profession and the producers of food products derived from animals.
  2. Strengthen relationships between AVMA and organizations related to animal agriculture.
  3. Improve communications and the flow of information among animal agriculture organizations inside and outside AVMA to support AVMA's decision-making process.
  4. Provide expertise and content in the area of animal agriculture for the AVMA, and serve as a primary resource for matters associated with animal agriculture.
  5. Advise on and develop animal agriculture policy and recommendations for submission to the AVMA Board of Directors.

Membership, method of appointment, and representation

Members of the committee are veterinarians, preferably AVMA members, appointed by the organizations they represent. Alternate members are also designated by their organizations and are expected to attend in the member’s absence. Members shall serve three-year terms. The organizations are encouraged to limit the number of terms for these members.

One representative each from the councils on Veterinary Service, Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, and Public Health is appointed by each council for three-year terms.

One member (whenever possible, an AVMA member) is appointed to serve a three-year term by the following organizations: Academy of Veterinary Consultants, American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, American Association of Avian Pathologists, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Industry Veterinarians, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, American Sheep Industry Association, Aquatic Livestock Alliance, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, American Association of Fish Veterinarians, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Chicken Council, National Institute for Animal Agriculture, NMC (formerly the National Mastitis Council), National Milk Producer’s Federation, National Pork Board, National Turkey Federation, United States Animal Health Association, Society for Theriogenology, Honey Bee Veterinary Consortium, and United Egg Producers.

The committee elects a chair and vice-chair annually from among its members. The chair and vice chair will act on behalf of the committee on time-sensitive issues between meetings.

Executive Board liaison: One member of the Board of Directors shall serve as liaison to the committee.

Invited representatives

Representatives from the following organizations are invited to attend committee meetings as observers at the organization’s expense and provide the organization’s perspective on veterinary and animal agricultural issues: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM); U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS); USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS); USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA).

Meetings

The committee is authorized to hold one in-person meeting per year at AVMA headquarters and may meet virtually as needed to fulfill its charge.

Funding

The AVMA fully reimburses members of the Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, Council on Public Health, and Council on Veterinary Service for expenses associated with attendance at the committee meetings.

Members of the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, American Association of Avian Pathologists, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Industry Veterinarians, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, American Sheep Industry Association, Aquatic Livestock Alliance, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, American Association of Fish Veterinarians, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Chicken Council, NMC, National Institute for Animal Agriculture, National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Board, National Turkey Federation, Society for Theriogenology, the US Animal Health Association, Honey Bee Veterinary Consortium, and the United Egg Producers are reimbursed for one-half of their travel expense and all of their meals and lodging expenses during the meeting.

Reports

The committee presents its recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval.

Life expectancy

The committee will be reviewed in compliance with AVMA governance policies.