The future of antibiotics in poultry production:
The role of the Veterinary
Feed Directive
Four leading poultry experts, including a representative of the FDA, discussed some of the key issues
facing the U.S. poultry industry and, in particular, changes in legislation surrounding the use of
antibiotics. This report presents edited highlights from the discussion that was moderated by Gary
Thornton, editor of WATT PoultryUSA.
➤PAnelISTS
Dr. William Flynn, deputy director
for science policy at the Center for
Veterinary Medicine, FDA
Dr. G. Donald Ritter, director of health
services, Mountaire Farms
Dr. Randy Singer, associate professor,
division of epidemiology and community
health at the University of Minnesota
Dr. Stephen Sutherland, senior director
of regulatory affairs at Zoetis
➊ The Veterinary Feed Directive
Gary Thornton – Dr. Flynn, how would you
describe the level of public confidence in antibiotics and how they are used in food animals,
and what would the Veterinary Feed Directive
do to help maintain or build public confidence?
Dr. Flynn – My impression is that the public does have
some general concerns about using antibiotics in food
producing animals and some uncertainty as to why those
drugs are being used, and concerns that perhaps they
are being overused. And I think the idea behind the
Veterinary Feed Directive is that those drugs that are
designated as a feed directive could only be used on a
farm through the order of a licensed veterinarian.
