Here are some highlights of state and federal regulatory issues AKC GR recently addressed. Visit AKC’s Regulatory Resource Center for more information on these and other significant regulatory issues addressed by AKC Government Relations.
Federal – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it is soliciting comments from the public on the use of antimicrobial drugs in companion animals. Specifically, FDA is interested in learning whether the use of such drugs has resulted in microorganisms—like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites—becoming resistant to them. FDA hopes to engage with stakeholders, particularly veterinarians, and use the information they provide to develop and implement a strategy for promoting antimicrobial stewardship in companion animals. Click here for more information.
North Carolina – The Animal Welfare Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences (NCAGR) is proposing updates to the rules used to carry out the state’s Animal Welfare Act. The proposed revisions reflect changes in guidelines and best practices for licensees as well as changes in regulated industries. The rules apply to facilities licensed or registered as animal shelters, boarding kennels, pet shops, dealers, public auctions, and euthanasia technicians under the act. The proposal updates: (1) Recordkeeping requirements for animal shelters and boarding kennels; (2) Applicable definitions, and adds a new definition of “surgical procedure” that may limit artificial insemination procedures on licensed dealers’ breeding stock to those performed by North Carolina-licensed veterinarians; (3) Facilities and operating standards, including standards for food storage; fencing; indoor heating/cooling, ventilation, and drainage requirements; outdoor building standards; primary enclosure standards; feeding/watering standards; and sanitation standards; (4) Program of veterinary care requirements, including disease control practices; (5) Transportation standards; and (6) Euthanasia standards.
Texas – The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which implements the state’s Dog or Cat Breeders Act (Act), has announced that there are two vacancies on its Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee: one for a veterinarian and one for a licensed breeder. The volunteer, nine-member Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation and TDLR on matters regarding standards and fees that are established under the Act. Read more.