The AVMA has joined with food animal veterinary groups and livestock production organizations to seek multi-year funding to support the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD). Although authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, FARAD has not received permanent funding. Operations will be forced to shut down in September unless funding can be found. The AVMA is requesting your help.
The AVMA is pursuing supplemental funding for FARAD through the Domestic Supplemental Appropriations Bill being considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday July 24th. The AVMA is urgently requesting that you contact your Congressional representatives and ask them to support funding for FARAD. You can reach their office by contacting the Capitol switchboard (202) 224-3121. When you reach your representative’s office, ask to speak with the staffer who deals with Appropriations issues or Agriculture issues. Explain the importance of FARAD (see below for background information), and ask that they support funding for FARAD.
Summary
The Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD) is the primary source of scientifically-based recommendations for withdrawal intervals following extra-label drug use. FARAD also is the primary source of residue mitigation information when food animals are exposed to environmental contaminants. FARAD is without federal funding for FY2009.
Without permanent multi-year funding ($2.5 million/yr for 3-5 years), FARAD will discontinue all activities in 2008. The AVMA is seeking a permanent solution to insure that FARAD will be a viable program in the future.
AVMA Position
The AVMA has long supported increased funding for FARAD. The loss of an earmark for funding of FARAD in 2008 clearly demonstrates the dilemma that has plagued FARAD since its inception. The AVMA is actively pursuing permanent multi-year funding at $2.5 million/year.
Purpose
FARAD, in existence since 1982, develops and maintains a unique food safety database that provides veterinarians, livestock producers, and state and federal regulatory and extension specialists with information on avoiding both animal drug residue and environmental contaminates in meat, milk and eggs.
FARAD’s databank provides information regarding the time-course of drug and chemical depletion in the blood and tissues of animals following the routine or extra-label use of drugs in animal agriculture and during food contamination emergencies which might arise from the accidental or intentional introduction of environmental toxins (such as pesticides) into the food supply. Additionally, FARAD provides rapid response assistance, through both its telephone hotline and web access, for inquires concerning residue issues that affect food animal health and food product contamination. FARAD also provides information to facilitate access to international markets by maintaining databanks of foreign drug approvals. Lastly, information contained in the FARAD is utilized to aid in the training of veterinary students and veterinary medical residents in the principles of residue avoidance.
Why AVMA Supports this Issue
FARAD is a valuable resource for veterinarians, livestock producers, and state and federal regulatory and extension specialists. In particular, FARAD provides support for the extra-label drug use in animal agriculture providing calculations of withdrawal time after such use of drugs in meat, milk, and eggs by clinical veterinary practitioners.
Current Status
There was no funding for FARAD in 2008. CSREES and FDA-CVM have developed an interagency agreement which will provide some funding for FARAD in 2008. However, this is a short term solution; FARAD must have permanent multi-year funding to remain a viable operation. If FARAD does not receive funding, they will shut down operations in September 2008.
The Farm Bill reauthorization has language that authorizes FARAD funding at $2.5 million, however, Congress needs to appropriate the money in the FY 2009 (and beyond) Agriculture Appropriations bill.
What you can do
The AVMA suggests that you contact your Members of Congress and ask them to support funding for FARAD. You can reach their office by contacting the Capitol switchboard (202)-224-3121. When you reach the office, ask to speak with the staffer who deals with Appropriations issues or Agriculture issues. Explain the importance of FARAD, and ask that they support funding for FARAD. You can also get more information at: http://www.avma.org/advocacy/get_involved/gac.asp. Log in by following the instructions, and take action by clicking the "Take Action" button.
Source: AVMA Government Relations Division