FDA loses regulatory oversight on animal health, dairy products

Key government regulatory functions over animal health and dairy products have been transferred from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to agencies under the Department of Agriculture (DA), a move seen improving the local livestock and dairy sectors.

- By ALDEN MONZON

In a statement yesterday, the DA said the shift is part of efforts to streamline regulatory processes, strengthen oversight of animal health and dairy production, as well as boost competitiveness in those industries.

With the shift, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) will oversee veterinary drugs, products, biologics and other animal health devices.

Similarly, the National Dairy Authority (NDA) will take full regulatory control over the country’s dairy industry, including testing, accreditation and oversight from farm production to post-market distribution.