Compliance Rate on Ruminant Feed Ban Near 100 Percent

Companies subject to the Food and Drug Administration?s (FDA?s) ruminant feed rule to prevent bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States have a nearly 100-percent compliance rate, according to the FDA?s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

This week?s report indicated that of the 1,664 inspected firms handling prohibited materials, six firms, less than 1 percent, had official action taken against them. Only 171 firms were classified as voluntary action indicated (VAI), which means inspectors found conditions of little regulatory significance, yet still warranting correction. ?This level of compliance is extremely high in the U.S. and should be very comforting to our customers. This is also very good news for the livestock and meat industries,? commented Paul Rodgers, deputy director of policy for the American Sheep Industry Association.

FDA currently inspects 11,375 firms with only 15 percent of those firms handling prohibited materials. To view the report, visit http://www.fda.gov/cvm/index/updates/BSEInspec03.htm.

Staff contact: Paul Rodgers, 304-647-9981

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