State Spotlight: Washington State Department of Agriculture

We sat down with the Washington State Department of Agriculture to learn about their feed program.

Tell us a little about your state’s feed program.

Washington’s animal food program is a nine-member team within WSDA’s Food Safety & Consumer Services Division focused solely on animal food (livestock, poultry, fish, pet, and specialty). We regulate the safety and integrity of animal food to protect animal and public health and ensure market fairness, emphasizing partnership, professionalism, efficiency, and innovation. Federally, we have participated in AFRPS since 2021 and conduct FDA contract inspections under the Animal Food Safety Inspection Contract.

Can you share about recent successes that your program has had?

We pioneered the first state-led surveillance testing for HPAI in pet food, responding quickly with federal and lab partners to help prevent further harm. We were among the first to adopt AAFCO’s Pet Food Label Modernization, and our analysis led to clarifications later implemented nationally. Our field team completed its first full FDA contract year ahead of schedule, finishing four comprehensive inspection audits. We also secured a new AFRPS cooperative agreement despite administrative hurdles, advanced the Mutual Reliance option, and supported other states through their applications.

Can you share about recent challenges that your program has overcome?

We are adapting our regulatory processes to address online-only products, creating procedures to quickly identify and bring unregistered items into compliance with strong results. We have maintained effective operations despite fragmented legacy systems and are nearing implementation of a comprehensive new database. During our HPAI work, when voluntary compliance fell short, we shifted from collaborative recommendations to targeted enforcement and ensured a smooth transition.

What’s something you’re most proud of that your program and/or state agency has done?

We are most proud of our team’s resilience and creativity. After losing all inspectors in a short period, we rebuilt quickly, overhauled hiring and training, and partnered with AFRPS states and FDA experts to deliver top-tier, hands-on preparation. We also expanded support for industry by securing funds with ImpactWA to offset training costs, creating user-friendly inspection tools, and hosting educational webinars. Each initiative reflects a culture of clear communication, practical problem-solving, and unwavering commitment to animal food safety.

How is your program involved in AAFCO?

We are deeply engaged with AAFCO through leadership, policy work, and daily collaboration. Our Program Manager, Ashlee-Rose Ferguson, serves as AAFCO’s Secretary-Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair, and AFRPS/AFDO Liaison, and our Advisor Liz Beckman co-chairs the Pet Food Committee. Our team also serves on multiple committees, work groups, and task forces. We helped shape and adopt Pet Food Label Modernization and contributed clarifications later implemented nationally.

How has your state begun adopting PFLM?

PFLM has been adopted and became effective in Washington State on July 7, 2025.