The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation to authorize the Animal Drug User Fee Act and the Animal Gener Drug User Fee Act Monday night with a vote of 390 to 12. The measure was already approved by the Senate – so the legislation now heads to the White House for the President’s signature. ADUFA and AGDUFA – first enacted in 2003 – allow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to collect fees from animal health companies for the review and approval of animal health products. The fees supplement the agency’s annual congressionally-approved appropriations and have enabled FDA to reduce its review time for new animal drugs. As a result – medications are brought to market more quickly with high standards for safety and effectiveness maintained.
The reauthorization of ADUFA is a top policy priority for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. According to NCBA President Scott George – the legislation’s passage is important because new animal health technologies allow cattle producers and veterinarians to prevent, control and treat diseases to maintain a healthy herd. George says raising healthy cattle is of utmost importance to cattlemen and women – and it’s important for them and the veterinarians they work with to have the ability to best manage herd health and produce safe, nutritious beef. National Pork Producers Council President Randy Spronk says the laws will help ensure pork producers have access to products that keep their pigs healthy and their products safe and wholesome.
NPPC points out opponents of modern livestock production had threatened to offer provisions to restrict certain antibiotics from use in food-animal production and to require reporting of on-farm uses of animal health products – but the bill was approved without amendments. With a clean bill free of amendments – NCBA’s George says the fees paid by animal health companies to fund FDA reviews and evaluations will be utilized to support and facilitate the new animal drug approval process.
Source: NAFB News Service