What are the laws governing the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture?

In Delaware, the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture is regulated by the Delaware Department of Agriculture. Delaware is required to follow the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance for the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. This includes: • Ensuring that antibiotic use is in compliance with FDA regulations and does not lead to antibiotic resistance. • Restricting the use of antibiotics for growth promotion in animals unless it is medically necessary for treatment, control, or prevention of a disease. • Requiring veterinarians to provide a valid veterinary feed directive (VFD) if antibiotics are used for growth promotion. • Prohibiting the use of medically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals unless such use is approved, directed, and supervised by a licensed veterinarian. • Establishing labeling requirements for antibiotic products that are authorized for use in food-producing animals and for other animal drugs used in animal agriculture. For antibiotics used in food-producing animals, Delaware also requires producers to keep records detailing the use of antibiotics on the farm including the amount and type of drug, the date of administration, and the reason for which the drug was administered. These restrictions ensure that antibiotics used in animal agriculture are used responsibly and do not contribute to antibiotic resistance in humans. The Delaware Department of Agriculture also provides resources to assist producers in understanding these laws and their responsibilities.

What are the laws governing the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture?

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