The Food and Drug Administration decided yesterday to delay its plan to test milk samples for animal drug residues, giving the agency more time to gather comments and input from all industry stakeholders. FDA affirmed its commitment to work with IDFA and others who would be affected by the proposed sampling program and agreed to notify IDFA of any further change in plans. The sampling program was scheduled to begin this month.

Just last week, agriculture commissioners representing 10 Eastern states sent a letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to express their concerns about the sampling plan. The commissioners said the testing had the potential to disrupt the flow of milk to markets and cause serious repercussions for local economies as well as dairy exports.

IDFA has been working closely with FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine and Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) to address member concerns regarding the sampling and testing program. For related information, read "Drug Residue Testing in Milk Tanks to Begin This Month."

Members with questions may contact Jon Gardner, IDFA vice president of regulatory affairs and international standards, at jgardner@idfa.org.