Feed, pet food regulations short course

The short-course event, scheduled to occur near AFIA’s office outside Washington, D.C., Sept. 28-29, 2009, is designed for professionals in the livestock feed and pet food industry who wish to learn more about how the industry’s products are regulated by states and the federal government.

AFIA has developed this special short course because no formal process exists for training regulatory feed professionals in the U.S. Regulatory officials tend to have backgrounds in nutrition or quality, but no one source provides comprehensive information about the regulatory requirements that relate to the feed industry. This first-ever short course is designed to fill that unique need. Both novices and experienced professionals will benefit from the wealth of information presented at this event. Additional details, including registration rates and hotel information, may be found at the AFIA online events page. Participants will listen to presentations by industry experts and government officials, and there will be opportunities to direct questions and comments to the presenters.

Dr. Dan McChesney, the director of the office of surveillance in the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, is expected to make a presentation about the role of the CVM on Sept. 28. He is scheduled to address the agency’s organization, its regulatory authority, the differences between food and feed regulations and more. McChesney has been well-received by AFIA members on previous occasions, most recently when he spoke at AFIA’s Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Conference in March 2009.

McChesney’s presentation on Sept. 28 will be followed by one by Chad Linton of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Linton, a member of the board of directors of the Association of American Feed Control Officials, will describe AAFCO’s role, history and structure. He also will provide suggestions on how industry professionals and AAFCO representatives may work together more closely.

Dr. Joyce Bowling of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is among the speakers scheduled to present information on Sept. 29. Bowling will explain the role of her agency and provide details about the proper importing and exporting of animal products.

Other government officials and industry experts also are expected to provide regulatory, legislative and legal information pertaining specifically to the livestock feed and pet food industry. Time for discussion and networking also is built into the schedule.