Learn about MDARD's four bureaus, including contact information, by clicking the above link, or view specific information below.
Want to know how to contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development? On this page you will find phone numbers, email addresses, snail mail addresses, and online contact forms for everything we do here at MDARD. We even have a complaint form for those of you with complaints.
Laws and Regulations pertaining to and governing the actions and policies of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.
This area contains information for press and media agencies. Press Releases, Pics, Podcasts & Videos
Animal ID and movement requirements in the State of Michigan
Animal health resources for veterinary professionals.
Diseases affecting, or potentially affecting, animals in Michigan
Information on how to acquire a feed license to manufacture or distribute commercial feed in Michigan.
Rules governing the disposal of Bodies of Dead Animals (BODA).
Materials developed to provide information on how an individual may become a qualified Animal Control Officer.
Information about how MDARD's Agriculture Development Division can help you grow your business in Michigan.
Michigan's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) was created to help protect our environment and wildlife. Michigan is partnering with the federal government to implement conservation practices of great significance to the state, and valuable to the nation, in matters of soil erosion, water quality, and wildlife habitat.
Programs under the Private Forestlands Initiative, including the Forestry Assistance Program, Qualified Forester Registration, and Qualified Forest Program.
Good migrant labor housing is an essential element in securing an adequate supply of seasonal agricultural workers.
The Cottage Food law, enacted in 2010, allows individuals to manufacture and store certain types of foods in an unlicensed home kitchen.
Find a licensed firm in Michigan, from pesticide businesses to retail establishments, and more.
For the registration of horses, breeders and owners so as to render them eligible for racing and breeder/owner awards.
Retail Motor Fuel Outlet licensing information, applications and forms.
Information on Weights & Measures service person and agency registration, as well as weights and measures advisories.
Each new, existing, and proposed commercial pesticide or fertilizer bulk storage facility is required to register annually with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Fertilizer License and Registration Requirements, as well as Liming License Requirements
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When will this take effect?
The expansion of the order went into effect on October 1, 2015, however, only a small number (tilmicosin, florfenicol, and avilamycin) of antibiotics were affected.
What is my role in the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) process?
Retailers and mills, also known as distributors, are responsible for making sure the VFD order is completely filled out, monitoring that reasonable amounts of feed are being ordered for the time and animals specified on the VFD order, properly labeling VFD drug feeds - including directions for use and ensuring the feed is mixed appropriately. Distributors must keep a copy of all VFD orders for two years. Unless the distributors record-keeping system is part 11 compliance, VFD orders received electronically must be printed out when filed.
How do retailers and mills know if a drug is a VFD drug?
Labels of VFD drugs must have the the following statement: "Caution: Federal law restricts medicated feed containing this veterinary feed directive (VFD) drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian." The FDA is also maintaining a list of VFD drugs on their website.
What is the expiration date on the VFD order?
The expiration date on the VFD order is the last day the VFD feed can be fed and the duration of the order is not to exceed six months.
What must a distributor do to be approved to sell medicated feeds requiring a VFD?
In order to fill a VFD order, three documents are required:
1. A One-time Distributor Notice
Notice to FDA of intent to distribute VFD drugs.
This notice will put you on the FDA's national distributor list.
The notice is a contract between FDA and the distributor.
According to the FDA the notice must include the following:
The notification should be mailed to: Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine Division of Animal Feeds (HFV-220) 7519 Standish Place Rockville, MD 20855.
If the ownership, name, or address of a distributor changes, the FDA must be notified within 30 days.
2. Acknowledgement Letter
The acknowledgment letter is sent to the company that is supplying the VFD drug to the distributor.
The acknowledgment letter states that the distributor will:
3. The VFD
The VFD order is provided by a veterinarian and is needed in order for a distributor to release a VFD drug or mixed feed with a VFD drug to someone who is not a distributor.
Being a distributor allows a facility to have a VFD drug or mixed feed with a VFD drug on hand so that when a valid VFD order is received the distributor can fill the VFD order immediately. If the above documents are in place, anyone can be a distributor, however distributors are more open to FDA and state inspection.
Resources
***As a reminder***
Anyone who mixes/manufactures feeds and sells it must be licensed in the state of Michigan.
Questions? Please contact our MDARD feed expert by email at LyonsT1@Michigan.gov or by phone at 800-292-3939.