Starting on January 1st, 2017, the United States will adopt a new directive that will affect the antibiotic distribution for cattle, swine, and poultry producers. According to swine specialist Tom Miller of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the new directive will give more oversight to veterinarians. For antibiotics used in livestock feed, they will be subject to the Veterinarian Feed Directive and will need approval from local vets to utilize the feed. Additionally, antibiotics used in water supplies will have to be acquired using a prescription, much like those acquired for the purpose of animal growth.

Miller said the new directive will ensure the prevention, treatment, and control of animal diseases will have more vet oversight, which should reassure consumers they are doing the right thing for the livestock. It will add more bureaucracy and more paperwork to the process, but he estimates minimal impact to the industry. Once the directive takes effect, producers will be required to keep their antibiotic information on file for two years. Producers, feed manufacturers, and vets who don’t abide by the regulations could face fines, or the revocation of their licenses.