Animal feed law meetings planned

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has scheduled a series of public meetings in January to collect comments and suggestions regarding state regulation of animal feed.

“We want to hear from the stakeholders — the feed manufacturers, commodity processors, livestock and pet food dealers and commercial feed customers — about changes they want in the feed law,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “The department is now reviewing the feed regulatory program to determine if it meets the needs of today’s industry and consumers.”

The meetings are from 1 to 4 p.m. local time. In this area, a meeting is on Jan. 17 at the Eagles Club, 345 12th Ave. NE, Valley City.

“The department is exploring regulatory changes that ensure the health and safety of livestock, pets and animal-derived foods for people,” Goehring said. “Specifically, we are looking at the equitability of licensing requirements, the adequacy of the sampling programs and the effect of labeling standards on interstate shipment. Most importantly, we must ensure that our program is in alignment with the new Food Safety Modernization Act.”

Tags: business, agriculture, livestock