Pet food policy rescinded

The AVMA has rescinded a policy in the AVMA Digest of Official Actions that opposes the use of dead, dying, diseased, and disabled animals in the preparation of pet foods. Now, the AVMA holds no official position on the matter.

The AVMA Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine reviewed the policy as part of a five-year assessment and chose to rescind it for several reasons. The policy has not been implemented as a code of practice in the pet food industry, and the Food and Drug Administration has not taken action to prohibit the practice. The rescinded statement did not discriminate among the wide range of diseases or injuries, such as between local or systemic diseases, acute and chronic diseases, infectious and noninfectious diseases, or communicable and noncommunicable diseases. And finally, prohibiting the use of these animals might create additional, or exacerbate current, carcass disposal problems.

The council noted that the FDA ensures that the ingredients used in pet foods are safe. The Association of American Feed Control Officials is also involved by developing model regulations that are sometimes adopted by states and the FDA, if the agency feels they are needed.