Project Summary
The aim of this Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Veterinary Laboratory Response
Network (Vet-LRN) Cooperative Agreement Program is to increase sample analysis
capabilities for the FDA by collaborating with Vet-LRN laboratories in response to animal
food or drug-related illnesses, as well as other significant animal food/feed emergencies
necessitating increased testing capacity for implicated diagnostic or animal food samples.
This testing will encompass microbiological analysis of samples such as animal food, feed
and drugs, as well as associated environmental samples, and animal diagnostic necropsy
or clinical samples. The Auburn University CVM Diagnostic Laboratory will conduct
selected analyses of diagnostic samples provided by the FDA or other government
agencies in the event of large-scale microbiological contamination affecting animal food
or products. Furthermore, federal or state surveillance assignments will likely serve as
additional sources of samples for analysis. The overarching objective of the cooperative
agreement is to enhance and utilize university, state, and federal veterinary diagnostic
laboratory testing capabilities. The program will facilitate the implementation of
standardized analyses through the utilization of standardized methods, equipment,
analytical worksheets, and electronic reporting. Each of the methods will be supported
with training and proficiency testing, while the quality management systems will be
bolstered. Additionally, small-scale method development and method validation projects
will be undertaken as directed by the Vet-LRN Program Office. The requested funding will
be allocated for supplies, equipment maintenance, travel, case investigations and
personnel time.
