Agricultural News
NCBA Urges Congressional Reauthorization of the Animal Drug User Fee Act
Thu, 16 May 2013 17:26:16 CDT
National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) President Scott George, a Cody, Wyo. dairy and beef producer, issued the following statement on yesterday's action by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on reauthorization of the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA): "Cattlemen and women rely on new and innovative animal health products, and for that reason the reauthorization of ADUFA has been one of the NCBA's key priorities this year. I am pleased to see the House Energy and Commerce Committee pass ADUFA reauthorization yesterday by a voice vote and look for the full House to consider reauthorization shortly." On May 8, 2013, the Senate passed ADUFA reauthorization by unanimous consent.
Colin Woodall, vice president of government affairs with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association said, "This is a big one for us because this is a program that allows pharmaceutical companies to pay money to the FDA and that gives them the money they need to get new drugs approved and out into the marketplace. New veterinary drugs are always good for us as we look for new ways to keep our animals healthy and increase production."
Woodall said ADUFA has some powerful opponents both inside and outside of Congress. Representative Louise Slaughter has reintroduced a bill to limit antibiotic use in animals, and it has the deep-pockets support of organizations like the Pew Charitable Trust.
Woodall acknowledged the a floor fight over ADUFA is "an opportunity for the anti antibiotics crowd to come out and fight us. And we're seeing that right now so we're working very hard to make sure this thing gets reauthorized without any restriction on our use of animal drugs like antibiotics."
Despite some support in Congress for antibiotic restrictions, Woodal said, "so far we've got a lot of commitment from the leadership on both sides that this bill needs to move forward and be reauthorized without any sort of antibiotic restrictions.
"So, we're optimistic, but like with HSUS UEP, we're remaining vigilant for any future attacks."
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