Commercial Feed Manufacturer/Distributor License

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development administers licenses to all commercial manufacturers and distributors of materials intended to be used as animal feeds (including livestock feeds, pet foods, ingredients, and nutritional supplements) in the state of Michigan.

The Department routinely inspects the manufacturers and distributors of commercial feeds and feed ingredients to make sure they are providing products that are safe and effective for their intended purposes. MDARD, through its commercial feed program, reviews labels to prevent deceptive labeling practices and investigates reports of animal deaths or illnesses where feeds may be implicated.

A. NAME OF PERMIT OR APPROVAL: 

Commercial Feed Manufacturer/Distributor License

B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 

MichiganCommercial Feed Law Act 120, 1975[1] 

C. APPLICABLE REGULATION: 

Regulation 635, Commercial Feed[2] 

D. SUMMARY OF PERMIT/APPROVAL PROCESS: 

 1.  Applicability (activities that require the permit) 

A commercial feed license must be obtained by anyone who intends to manufacture or distribute commercial feed in Michigan.

Commercial feeds include, but are not limited to, feed ingredients, complete and concentrated feeds, feed premixes, and nutritional supplements for livestock, zoo and laboratory animals, wildlife (wild birds, squirrels, deer, etc.), and domesticated pets (unless normally kept in cages or tanks).

Note: A distributor is not required to obtain a license to distribute a brand or product if the manufacturer is already licensed and the name and principal mailing address of the manufacturer appear on the label. 

The principal mailing address shall include the street address, city, state and zip code; however, the street address may be omitted if it is shown in the current city directory or telephone directory.

  

 2.  Pre-Application Requirements 

• Due to the volume of labels received, it is not unusual for MDARD to issue a license prior to a review of your labels. If this happens and labels are found to be in violation during subsequent inspection and review, regulatory action may still be taken at that time.

  

 3.  Application Submission Requirements 

• Download and print a copy of the Commercial Feed Manufacturer/Distributor License Application.[3] 

• Complete the application and attach your check or money order made out to the State of Michiganto the address at the back of the application.

License Renewals 

For all current licenses, a renewal application will be mailed by the end of November. MDARD recommends that you use the renewal application sent to you in the mail because it will contain your license number and specific company information such as company name and address as previously submitted to MDARD. If any of that information has changed since the previous license, additions, deletions and other changes should be made on this form. Licensees who have not received their application by December 15th should immediately contact MDARD at (517) 373-0946 or send an email to inmanca@michigan.gov

  

 4.  Procedures and Time-Frame for Obtaining Permit or Approval 

• License applications are processed in the order in which they are received.
• The typical "error-free" application is normally processed within 4 weeks.
• If submitted during "renewal" season (December-January) processing could take 6-8 weeks due to the volume of applications being received at that time.

Processing may take considerably longer if your application is incomplete for any of the following reasons:

• If the application is received without the license fee - The entire application will be returned and will not be processed.
• If the owner or other responsible individual did not sign the application - A copy of the application will be returned to the sender and will not be processed until returned to MDARD with the required signature.
• If the required labels do not accompany the application - MDARD will send a letter to the applicant requesting the labels. The application will not be processed until the labels are received.
• If portions of the application form have been left blank - A copy of the application will be returned to the sender with the blank fields marked. The application will not be processed until the form has been completed in its entirety, and returned.

Note: Applications that have to be returned will lose their position in the processing order.

  

 5.  Operational Requirements 

Tonnage Reporting 

All licensees are required to submit semi-annual tonnage reports and pay a tonnage-based inspection fee of $0.13 per ton of feed or feed ingredients manufactured or distributed in Michigan.

  

 6.  Fees 

• A $25.00 license fee is required for all or any part of each calendar year.

• 13 cents per ton of all feed or feed ingredients manufactured/distributed in Michigan.

  

 7.  Appeal Process 

A license shall not be refused, suspended, or revoked until the licensee or applicant is given an opportunity to appear for a hearing. The contested case hearing process is outlined in the Administrative Procedures Act, 1969 PA 306.[4] 

 8.  Public Input Opportunities 

Complaints or comments related to feed licensing and inspections may be filed with MDARD at any time. Complaints are investigated by field staff, a violation finding would be considered in the decision making process.

E. Contact Information: 

Contact Us

Creation/Revision Date:

09/01/2010