FARAD suspends some operations after funding shortfall

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The Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank suspended all public access May 15 because of a lack of funding. Remaining resources are being used to maintain the databank for an additional six to nine months.

Administered through the Department of Agriculture, FARAD is a computer-based decision support system that provides livestock producers, extension specialists, and veterinarians with information on how to avoid drug, pesticide, and environmental contaminant residue problems.

Congress did not fund the program in FY 2007, and funding for FY 2008 was unknown. Without permanent, multiyear funding—$2.5 million a year for three to five years—FARAD will discontinue all activities early in 2008.

In the meantime, FARAD staff will communicate with stakeholders through the FARAD newsletter, continue academic work developing predictive models and algorithms, and continue to publish articles (FARAD Digest) in the JAVMA.

The AVMA has made permanent funding for FARAD one of its top legislative priorities.