RAYMOND, Miss. -- New regulations passed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will continue to help cattle producers and veterinarians protect the health of animals and humans.

The amended rules will require all cattle producers to obtain a veterinary feed directive, or VFD, from a licensed veterinarian to use feeds that contain medications. Antimicrobials used in drinking water also require this veterinary prescription.

Dr. Carla Huston, veterinarian and associate professor in the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, said the new regulations will promote the judicious use of antimicrobials.

“While these regulations may seem burdensome at first, the long-term effects will provide a positive overall opportunity for the livestock industry,” Huston said. “The new regulations will help to ensure that we continue to have a safe and wholesome food supply by protecting both animal and human health. They will also help promote the important relationship between the producer and the veterinarian.”

The new regulations go into effect on Jan.1, 2017. At that time, producers then must obtain a VFD and provide the VFD when buying feed. They must feed according to the directive and discontinue feeding medicated food when the prescription expires.

To obtain a VFD, producers must have an established veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Producers also must keep copies of the directive for two years.

For more information about the VFD and how it affects Mississippi cattle operations, contact Huston at 662-325-1183 or Brandi Karisch, an MSU Extension beef cattle specialist, at 662-325-7465.

For a list of affected medications, visit http://1.usa.gov/1Tndle5. The complete ruling can be found on the FDA’s web site at https://goo.gl/c9i5ZJ.