Veterinary Feed Directive: How will it affect beekeepers and honeybees?

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a new set of regulations that will affect the way medically-important antibiotics are given to food animal species. Concern over antibiotic resistance—in humans and animals—has moved the FDA to regulate the use of over the counter antibiotics in feed and drinking water.

Effective January 1, 2017, the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) will require veterinary oversight whenever antibiotics are given to any food animal species—even if the animal is not intended for food production.

Under the new regulation, both hobbyist and commercial beekeepers will no longer be able to purchase antimicrobials over the counter, and will be required to obtain a prescription for any antibiotics or antimicrobials given to their honeybees. This will help promote good beekeeping practices, and is truly the most effective way to prevent and control disease in honeybees.

However, this new requirement may initially present a challenge: Most veterinarians typically do not deal in beekeeping.

In an effort to help ease this transition, the Maryland Department of Agriculture is partnering with the University of Maryland and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to host a free seminar on February 1 for veterinarians that will give an in-depth look at antibiotic use in beehives. This will include discussion of American foulbrood, European foulbrood and other stress-related honeybee health issues. There will also be discussion of sampling techniques and submissions.

Seating for this seminar will be limited. All interested participants should RSVP to the Maryland Department of Agriculture at 410-841-5920 or ppwm.mda@maryland.gov.

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