A veterinary feed directive (VFD) is a written (nonverbal) statement issued by a licensed veterinarian in the course of the veterinarian’s professional practice that orders the use of a VFD drug or combination VFD drug in or on an animal feed. This written statement authorizes the client to obtain and use animal feed, bearing or containing a VFD drug or combination VFD drug, to treat the client’s animals in compliance with the conditions for approved use.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a new regulation that has changed the veterinary feed directive (VFD) process due to increased concern surrounding the use of antimicrobial drugs used in food producing animals. Changes to the regulation will help support the judicious use of antibiotics and limit antimicrobial resistance, for products used to treat human illness. The agency’s effort will result in eliminating growth promotion use of medically important drugs in feed by January 1, 2017.