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Mission
Statement
The American Association of Bovine Practitioners
is an international association of veterinarians organized to enhance
the professional lives of its members through relevant continuing
education that will improve the well-being of cattle and the economic
success of their owners, increase awareness and promote leadership
for issues critical to cattle industries, and improve opportunities
for careers in bovine medicine. |
President's
Message
What’s Going On?
This month it seems that there has been a lot going on behind the scenes at AABP – related to events happening nationally at AVMA and in Washington. First, I am pleased to report that Dr. Roger Saltman, our recent past president, was appointed to the AVMA Veterinary Economics Strategy Committee. We are pleased that we will have a voice on that committee that reflects a large animal perspective.
Second, the recent final FDA rule on cephalosporin use in food animals has generated a lot of publicity. For those of you that have not heard, on January 6, FDA issued its long awaited final rule prohibiting certain extralabel uses of cephalosporin drugs in certain food-producing animals. The deadline for comment on this final rule is March 6, 2012. The original rule, in 2008, proposed an outright ban on extralabel cephalosporin use in food animals. After what one must presume was a reaction to the thousands of comments received on that rule, the current proposed rule is, instead, a ban on extralabel dosing regimens (dose, route, duration, frequency), while preserving our ability to utilize these needed drugs for conditions not listed on the label, as long as the dosing regimen is not altered.
AABP will be making comments on this rule. The AABP Committee on Pharmaceutical and Biologic Issues (CPBI) has been asked to prepare comments to be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. Conversations with the present and past chairs of CPBI and the Executive Committee suggest that a consensus position is that we are in agreement with FDA that this antibiotic is valuable in the treatment of many diseases in cattle. We are appreciative of the continued availability of this important class of antibiotics for treatment of our patients when needed. We are concerned that any current or future restriction of antibiotic use due to concerns about resistance developing in bacteria responsible for human infections be done carefully, and be based on solid scientific evidence, and not generalizations without evidence. Please do not hesitate to share your opinions on this rule with any of the officers or the AABP office, and feel free to comment directly yourself if you are so inclined. You can find a discussion online at www.fda.gov.
Third was an action by the AVMA House of Delegates the first weekend in January. They voted to approve a new “Model Practice Act”. This new “model” did not contain revised language for what constitutes a valid VCPR (Veterinary Client Patient Relationship); however, new language redefining the VCPR has now been proposed for inclusion in this new document. (It should be noted that this revision will theoretically not affect the definition of VCPR codified in federal regulations that affects the use of extralabel drugs.) The new Model Practice Act is likely to be used as a template when many states revise and adapt their own practice acts. The new suggested definition for a VCPR was submitted a week after the House of Delegates vote, and is available for review and comment. You can view it online at http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/mvpa_VCPR_attachment1.pdf if you are an AVMA member. A vote on its adoption is tentatively scheduled by the Executive Board in this spring and the AVMA House of Delegates in August. At least partly in response to concerns by swine and poultry practitioners, the proposed definition does not require that a veterinarian be on the premises or see the animals on a regular basis if sufficient knowledge of the operation, including treatment records, disease conditions, and other information such as necropsy results are regularly available and reviewed.
While acknowledging differences in practice conditions between species, many of us believe that a change in the definition of a valid VCPR in this manner is likely to lead to confusion and a loss of oversight of drug use in the cattle industry at a time when public concerns are particularly elevated. One suggestion has been for the AABP to adopt a “Standards of Practice” statement that further helps define what we consider to be adequate or appropriate contact with an operation, animal, or group of animals that would be sufficient to provide the necessary veterinary oversight for judicious drug use on the operation. We believe prior to taking such a step there should be an opportunity for significant member input, so the already busy CPBI has been requested to develop a survey for the membership, and some ideas for language for a possible statement regarding standard of practice. This will be a major topic for the Board of Directors at our March meeting. In addition, we will be making comments and suggestions for revisions to the AVMA proposed definition of VCPR based on these ideas. In the near future, watch for an opportunity to participate in this survey.
So, let us know what you think!
Brian Gerloff
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AABP Continuing Education
In keeping with the AABP Mission Statement "The AABP is an international association of veterinarians organized to enhance the professional lives of its members through relevant continuing education that will improve the well-being of cattle and the economic success of their owners, increase awareness and promote leadership for issues critical to cattle industries, and improve opportunities for careers in bovine medicine." AABP is working to create online CE training modules for members. |
| Important AABP Deadlines |
| 4/1/2012 |
Student Externships Those students needing help with expenses for Externships lasting more than 2 weeks are encouraged to apply for an AABP Externship Grant. |
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AABP
Quick Links
2011
NAHMS Feedlot Study Launched August 1
Summary
Opinion of the American Association of Bovine Practitioner’s Ad Hoc Committee
on Rural Veterinary Practice
AABP
Press Release - Undercover video of willful animal abuse on a Texas calf ranch
Practical Euthanasia of Cattle
- AABP Animal Welfare Committee Guidelines
AVMA Guidelines
on Euthanasia
Changes to the National Veterinary Accreditation program (NVAP).
AABP sends Letter to Editor responding to misinformation in TIME's recent article “America’s Food Crisis and How to Fix It.” Long version with References
See what other Continuing Education Opportunities are available!
Veterinarians Without Borders
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