Quarterly NewsletterQ1 2023 |
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A Letter from Our President |
Dear AAFCO members,
It is my great pleasure to serve you all as AAFCO's 2023 president. As a generational beef cattle producer from Tennessee, I recognize first hand the lasting impact AAFCO provides to regulatory agencies, industries, and consumers. AAFCO has always had a strong reputation for providing member support and model guidance for feed supplies and without that support the United States' food supply would be lost.
My career, both with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and as a cattle producer, has played a role with AAFCO through broadening my knowledge base on feed not just within the U.S., but on a global scope. We are no longer in an isolated marketplace. Under the career microscope, AAFCO has provided me with an exceptional network of contacts for most any question that can arise, and I have been able to comfortably strengthen relationships with industry partners, consumers, and border state regulatory officials.
Curious what you should look forward to from AAFCO in 2023? My hope is for everyone to have a renewed sense of excitement. AAFCO is looking to improve engagement, and it starts with you. I strongly encourage members to get involved to create quality relationships that assist you to get out of your comfort zone. While building these relationships can seem overwhelming, the positive impact you receive from those efforts to interact with others outside of your state or company is far greater than you would expect.
As I reflect on the relationships built and opportunities afforded to me through AAFCO, I hope to put an emphasis on new member engagement in this coming year. The new members of AAFCO are vital to this organization, and it is my goal to get them immensely involved. I look forward to overseeing the future of AAFCO and it is my honor to serve you as the new president. |
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Sincerely, |
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Eric Brady President |
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Expert Advice from AAFCO's Past President |
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What a joy it was to serve as AAFCO's president in 2022. While my time as president has come to a close, I can't help but reflect on some of the Association's achievements from the past year.
What were the greatest milestones from 2022? From initiating virtual video formats for increased member participation to partnering with NASDA to secure grant funds for a collaboration site to laying the groundwork for a new website, we've come a long way this last year to advance our organization's practices so we can take AAFCO to new heights.
What can we expect in 2023? The executive committee is excited to implement AAFCO's new strategic plan, which among other initiatives will prioritize the development of leadership tools for our committee chairs, and provide support as we prepare for more regulation changes on the horizon.
What is your advice to members in 2023? With Pet Food Label Modernization rolling out this year, focus on being patient and cooperative as the challenges of implementation are worked through. It's imperative that you work together and initiate dialogue among peers whenever possible to help mitigate any unforeseen challenges.
What do you hope to see for AAFCO in the next five years? I hope to see an association with all the necessary tools at its disposal to accomplish and maintain its vision and mission. We're well on our way! |
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Sincerely,
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George R. Ferguson
Immediate Past President |
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Expert Panel Upholds AAFCO Guidelines for Copper Concentrates in Foods for Normal Dogs |
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AAFCO recently announced the findings of an expert panel convened in response to a February 2021 article in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) concerning the current AAFCO guidelines for maximum concentrations of copper (Cu) in foods for normal dogs. |
| Read More |
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Congratulations to Bailey Whiten! |
Bailey Whiten, AAFCO board member, was recently appointed to the Partnership for Food Protection Governing Council. In this new role, she will collaborate with federal, state, local and association representatives on strategic projects, programs and initiatives aimed at helping protect the nation's food supply. Congratulations Bailey! |
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New Standard for Human Grade Pet Food |
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AAFCO has a new standard for human grade pet and specialty pet food products. This new standard, along with AAFCO's Guidelines for "Human Grade" Claims, outline how all human grade pet food products should be manufactured in accordance with the acceptable regulations for ready-to-eat human food. The USDA Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) Livestock and Poultry Program will audit the new standard under its USDA Process Verified Program (PVP).
The new standard, guidance document and AMS checklist can be found here. |
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New Animal Feed Ingredient Submission Course Available |
AAFCO recently launched its Animal Feed Ingredient Submission Courses - specifically for industry. Conveniently offered in a self-paced online format.
The course has been designed for domestic and international manufacturers and distributors of ingredients used in premixes, livestock feeds and pet foods in the United States to learn more about the various ingredient approval processes. |
| Learn More |
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Upcoming Events & Important Dates |
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57th Annual Feed Administrators Seminar
May 15-19, 2023
Fontana Dam, North Carolina
More Information |
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Board of Directors & Member Highlights |
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Welcome Dan King to the Board! |
Dan has spent more than 13 years with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in the commercial feed program, primarily as a compliance officer. Prior to that, he worked at a small, independent coop handling feed, fertilizer, agronomy, and grain storage. |
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Welcome Bailey Whiten to the Board! |
Bailey is the Assistant Division Director of the Ag Inputs Division at the Georgia Department of Agriculture where she oversees the Feed Program and compliance of the Fertilizer and Seed Programs. She is also a member of the AAFCO Pet Food Committee, Ingredient Definitions Committee, and Analytical Variances Workgroup. |
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Erin Bubb, New Co-Chair of the Ingredient Definition Committee |
Erin is the Chief of Agronomic Products and Regional Inspection Services for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. She was the former president of AAFCO and volunteers as the AAFCO Miscellaneous Products Investigator and the Alfalfa Products Investigator. |
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Member job listings |
AAFCO will be launching a Job Opportunities board later this spring. This section on our website will be a place for members and industry partners to share relevant job openings for their department, organization, or business. Do you have a job opening you'd like to feature on AAFCO's Job Opportunities board? Send it to us at AAFCO@aafco.org. Stay tuned for more details! |
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FDA Public Listening Session |
The FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine held a public listening session last month regarding its role in AAFCO's feed ingredient definition process. You can watch the recording of the listening session here. |
Tracey Forfa Announced as New Director of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine |
Tracey Forfa, J.D., a distinguished 30-year veteran of the FDA, is the new director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). Forfa will continue to apply the Center's guiding principles: protecting public health; regulating based on the best evidence and science; leveraging and collaboration; operating transparently; continuous quality improvement; and strong stakeholder engagement. Read More |
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Order the Official Publication |
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The 2023 Official Publication is available for purchase: |
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