These are AFIA’s 6 priorities to shape the future of US animal feed

The guiding principle of the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is to ensure the safety and sustainability of the US animal feed supply chain. What are its strategic priorities for addressing the current challenges facing the industry?

GlobalPETS has been looking at how the association representing the American feed industry plans to help businesses maintain competitiveness amid a changing regulatory and business landscape, not least in light of the global trade turmoil unleashed by President Trump in April.

“We are taking a proactive approach to tackling long-standing challenges that impede US animal food manufacturers’ ability to do business and bring innovative animal food solutions to the market while preparing for emerging issues that could impact the US animal food supply chain in the future,” says AFIA President and CEO Constance Cullman.

1. Regulation

The regulatory framework in the United States is complex, with some elements under the jurisdiction of federal agencies and others controlled at the state level.

The multi-layered regulatory framework is primarily overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the federal level, while state-specific regulations are often derived from model standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

This dual system, while aiming for consistency through AAFCO’s influential model regulations, nonetheless presents a “state-by-state regulatory patchwork” that requires meticulous navigation by manufacturers to ensure nationwide compliance.

AFIA is keen for there to be harmonized state feed regulations, science-based rulemaking and the modernization of pet food labeling requirements.

2. Feed management standards

AFIA is also prioritizing the update of feed management standards. Although not specified, these could address the nutritional content of feed, its impact on animal health and productivity and environmental impacts.

The association is committed to promoting harmonized life cycle assessment tools across the United States and the European Union.

3. Ingredient review

The FDA’s ingredient review process is also clearly in AFIA’s sights, with a call for it to be modernized to accelerate the delivery of animal food solutions into the marketplace.

This includes its support of amending the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish a new category of ingredients that do not contribute to animal nutrition but rather act in the animal’s gut to provide health benefits, address food safety concerns or reduce environmental impact.

AFIA cites research that shows average review times for new ingredients now span 3–5 years or more, and companies are spending an average of $600,000 (€ 527K) per ingredient to gain approval.

4. Manufacturing facility inspection

The fourth priority for AFIA is promoting science-based manufacturing facility inspection protocols and supporting the expansion of the FDA’s guidance resources.

The organization will actively participate in Codex discussions on drug residue thresholds in animal-origin foods. The Codex was established in 1963 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) and the World  Health Organization (WHO).

5. Environmental regulations

How the US animal feed industry addresses environmental issues and supports the safeguarding of science-based regulatory practices by prohibiting the Environmental Protection Agency from using Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessments as tier 1 data sources in regulatory, enforcement and permitting actions.

It will also continue to track developments related to contaminants such as PFAS and microplastics, as well as workplace rules and practices, which are among AFIA’s priorities.

6. Strengthening global trade

In light of the current concerns and impacts of tariffs imposed by the US, as well as retaliation from affected economies, AFIA aims to strengthen global trading relationships, including the removal of non-tariff trade barriers.

The association also aims to address supply chain vulnerabilities.

“Our Board leadership and members have put forward robust policy priorities that are crafted to ensure the animal food industry remains competitive in a dynamic and ever-changing regulatory and global trade landscape,” says Cullman.

This June, AFIA was awarded $242,600 (€211.8K) in federal funding through the USDA’s Emerging Markets Program, which supports US organizations in promoting agricultural exports to markets with commercial potential.

The funding will be used to expand the footprint of US players in Vietnam. Animal food exports to the Southeast Asian country increased by 40% between 2023 and 2024, totaling $2.8 million (€2.5M).