About the AUS Program

California Senate Bill 27 (Hill), signed by Governor Brown on October 10, 2015, resulted in additions to the California Food and Agricultural Code (Division 7, Chapter 4.5, Sections 14400-14408) that address the use of medically important antimicrobial drugs in livestock, development of antimicrobial stewardship guidelines and best management practices, and surveillance of antimicrobial use as well as antimicrobial resistance patterns in bacteria.

In California, effective January 1st of 2018, over the counter injectable and all other medically important antimicrobials must be administered with a prescription or veterinary feed directive (VFD) ordered by a California licensed veterinarian under a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). The law also requires the California Department of Food & Agriculture to ensure that livestock producers in rural areas continue to have timely access to antimicrobials.

Note that these changes are separate from the federal regulations regarding antimicrobials in feed and water that became effective on January 1, 2017.

AUS California Law

Livestock: Use of Antimicrobial Drugs (FAC § 14400 – 14408) California law effective as of January 1st, 2018 Livestock Drugs (FAC § 14200 – 14390) Existing California law referenced in the Livestock: Use of Antimicrobial Drugs law.

AUS Implementation

2018 Strategic Plan Finalized and approved plan to continue implementation through the AUS program in 2018. October 2018 Update Overview of accomplishments made since the April 2018 Ad Hoc Advisory Meeting April 2018 Update Overview of accomplishments made since the November 2017 Ad Hoc Advisory Meeting.

AUS Annual Reports

Description and highlights of different program activities for the fiscal year. In addition, the attached appendix provides more detailed information for a selection of AUS’ studies and projects.

FY 2021 – 2022: AUS 2022 Annual Report

Annual Summary Report Veterinary Feed Directives 2021

FY 2020 – 2021: AUS 2021 Annual Report

Annual Summary Report Veterinary Feed Directives 2020

FY 2019 – 2020: AUS 2020 Annual Report

Annual Summary Report Veterinary Feed Directives 2019

FY 2018 – 2019: AUS 2019 Annual Report | News Release

Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Summary Reports

Annual summaries of manufacturing and distribution data for California medicated feed containing a VFD drug or combination VFD drugs, by VFD order written by a licensed veterinarian.

2020-2021 Veterinary Feed Directive Summary Report

2019 Veterinary Feed Directive Summary Report

Summary Report Veterinary Feed Directive 2017 – 2019 Q1

AUS 2019 Report to the Legislature

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship (AUS) program is tasked with implementing the directives of Food and Agricultural Code 14400-14408. AUS is responsible for assessment, education, and enforcement of antimicrobial use for livestock in California. The AUS 2019 Report to the Legislature aims to fulfill the mandate in FAC 14405 (d) by providing the results of the program’s outreach activities and monitoring efforts. Press Release AUS 2019 Report to the Legislature

Documents (GFIs) That Explain the FDA’s Guidance Regarding Antimicrobial Use

GFI #152 Appendix A identifies Medically, Highly, and Critically important antimicrobials. If an antimicrobial you use fits within a named class then FDA will consider it important. FDA also considers sulfonamides as important. GFI #209 Introduces veterinary oversight and only necessary use as guiding principles. GFI #213 Explains the changes FDA wants to see for the mass use of antimicrobial drugs (Feed and Water).

FDA Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD)

VFD Regulations The Federal Register VFD Regulations Q & A GFI #120: VFD regulation Q & A VFD Overview Video

Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship