Among the measures available to treat and prevent disease in dairy cattle, the judicious and responsible use of antibiotics and other drugs by veterinarians and producers can have a positive impact on animal health while maintaining a safe milk supply. Whereas the use of such drugs is highly regulated, the potential for drug residues in milk and meat exists if they are incorrectly used. Veterinarian-client-patient relationships, education and preventive programs reduce the risk of residues. Beyond the farm, all milk received at dairy processing facilities in the U.S. is tested for the presence of antibiotics, as prescribed under Appendix N of the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance to prevent adulterated milk from entering commerce. Beta-lactam antibiotics, the most commonly used drugs on dairy farms, are the primary target of this testing. Under the Grade “A” program, the National Milk Drug Residue Database has reported decreasing incidence of actionable residues in milk; only 0.014% of tankers tested were positive in 2014; no positives were reported in pasteurized dairy products. Recently, questions have risen about expanding mandatory testing programs to other drug residues. Under the direction of the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments, FDA developed a modeling tool to assist in risk management of drug residues in milk products. The outcome, published early 2015, provided a risk-ranking of selected drugs aiding the development of a framework for additional testing and monitoring of Grade “A” milk. This symposium will provide an overview of current drug use on the farm and programs designed to reduce the risk of drug residues in the milk supply. The outcome of the drug residue risk-ranking and its implications on industry stakeholders will be discussed in regard to current and future testing and control programs, and the development of new methodologies for identifying additional drug residues in milk.

Presentations