Sustaining AFRPS Implementation and Advancing Mutual Reliance: Enhancing Animal Feed Regulatory Oversight and Collaboration in Louisiana - Project Summary/Abstract Title: Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS) Implementation Development and Maintenance, with Mutual Reliance Initiatives FON: PAR-25-003 Clinical Trials Not Allowed The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), Office of Animal Health and Food Safety (AHFS), Feed Program Division seeks continued funding to maintain full implementation of the Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS) and expand participation in mutual reliance initiatives with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The LDAF Feed Program achieved full AFRPS implementation as verified by FDA during a February 2024 audit and is preparing for its next audit in May 2025. The program is committed to advancing animal food safety through effective regulatory oversight, collaborative planning, and strong federal-state integration. LDAF will maintain and strengthen its inspection program by continuing to perform FDA contract inspections and increasing the number of non-contract inspections conducted in alignment with Compliance Program Guidance Manual (CPGM) 7371.000. These inspections will follow risk-based principles and adhere to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and Preventive Controls for Animal Food (PCAF) requirements. To support FDA work planning, the program will provide firm inventories categorized by risk and participate in work-sharing and data-sharing initiatives. LDAF will continue to enhance its ability to share regulatory data with FDA, supporting a unified regulatory framework and promoting efficient oversight. The Feed Program will collaborate with the LDAF Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory by assigning trained personnel to collect official samples. This effort will support timely laboratory analysis and ensure coordinated follow-up for samples submitted under the Laboratory Feed and Fertilizer Monitoring (LFFM) program. LDAF will expand its State Auditor Program by advancing two staff members into Phases 2 and 3 of FDA’s state auditor development pathway, with a training audit and verification audit scheduled for August 2025. This will enhance Louisiana’s ability to conduct independent program audits and support mutual reliance outcomes. The program will also increase outreach efforts by identifying venues and developing educational materials focused on AFRPS, cGMP, and PCAF regulations. These materials will promote industry awareness and encourage voluntary compliance among feed manufacturers and stakeholders. Regular quarterly meetings with FDA will continue to support collaboration on enforcement strategies, performance evaluation, policy review, training needs, and mutual reliance objectives. Through sustained AFRPS conformance and ongoing partnership with FDA, LDAF aims to enhance regulatory consistency, reduce duplication, and strengthen public and animal health protection across Louisiana and the nation.
