Animal Health & Biosecurity
Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship Program
In California, effective January 1, 2018, over-the-counter injectable and medically-important antimicrobials must be administered with a prescription or veterinary feed directive (VFD) ordered by a California-licensed veterinarian under a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR).
Note that these changes are separate from the federal regulations regarding antimicrobials in feed and water that became effective on January 1, 2017 (see below). Regulation of the sale of dewormers, vaccines, and vitamins will not change.
This video provides an overview of the requirements in the VFD regulation.
Veterinary Feeding Directives
As of January 1, 2017, medically important antibiotics for use in or on feed and in water are veterinary feed directive (VFD) drugs. The VFD feed must be authorized by a licensed veterinarian and used in compliance with the VFD regulation. Also, these VFD feeds cannot be used for growth promotion or feed efficiency.
This requirement affects many livestock producers, including 4-H members. Additional information and resources:
CDFA Safe Animal Education Program
To find a Veterinarian in California:
Under License Type, scroll down to Veterinary Medical Board and select Veterinarian or Veterinary Premise (clinic with several doctors).
Questions?
Please contact Erica Pettey at eapettey@ucanr.edu.