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Feed inspections become law

Published (3/2/2012)
By Sue Hegarty
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A new law will allow the Department of Agriculture to inspect non-medicated feed operations and to issue a voluntary Good Manufacturing Practice certificate, which at least three foreign countries now require.

When the federal Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 was passed, the issuance of GMP certifications for non-medicated feed stopped until new stricter federal rules can be adopted, which has not yet happened. There is no such certificate offered at the state level.

Now, countries such as Brazil and Mexico are requiring the certificates from either a state or federal government before accepting imports of non-medicated feed. Some feed manufacturers said the lack of acquiring a certificate has stopped trade to those countries and hurt their business. The new law will provide for state inspections so that import routes can reopen. When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration implements its new rules and certificate, the state certification program will cease.

Minnesota exports $4.8 million of feed to Brazil annually.

Rep. Chris Swedzinski (R-Ghent) and Sen. Gary Dahms (R-Redwood Falls) sponsor the law, which was signed by Gov. Mark Dayton on March 1, and is effective the next day.

HF1926*/ SF1527/CH124

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