The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) continues to champion progress in the swine industry with several pivotal initiatives in 2023-24. Central to these efforts is the Innovative FEED Act, designed to modernize the regulatory process for new animal feed ingredients. This legislation aims to enhance swine health and productivity by ensuring novel feed additives are treated as feeds rather than drugs, streamlining their approval and use.
The AFIA also addressed significant biosecurity concerns, particularly focusing on African swine fever (ASF). As ASF poses a looming threat to the U.S. swine industry, the AFIA has collaborated with the USDA and other stakeholders to reinforce biosecurity measures. This includes advocating for the Safe American Food Exports (SAFE) Act, which aims to protect export markets in the event of an ASF outbreak, ensuring continuity in trade and minimizing economic impact.
Additionally, the AFIA has taken a strong stance on the use of formaldehyde in feed, an antimicrobial agent crucial for controlling pathogens. With the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scrutinizing its use, the AFIA is actively working to ensure that formaldehyde remains available as a disease prevention tool in feed production, especially in the context of ASF mitigation.
On the sustainability front, the AFIA has launched new policies emphasizing the role of the animal food industry in global sustainability efforts. These policies advocate for science-based regulations and support the development of emissions-reducing feed technologies. The association is also working to modernize the regulatory process for these novel ingredients, with a focus on getting them into the hands of producers.
In supply chain resilience, the AFIA has formed a task force to address vulnerabilities in the supply of critical feed ingredients like vitamins and amino acids. This initiative is particularly relevant as the swine industry faces ongoing challenges from supply chain disruptions, including those caused by environmental factors and labor disputes.
Through these efforts, the AFIA is driving continuous improvement and innovation in the swine industry, ensuring that producers are equipped to meet future challenges while maintaining competitiveness on a global scale.
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