Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards Implementation Maintenance, with Mutual Reliance Initiatives

PAR-25-003: PROJECT SUMMARY – Overall Component The objective of this multi-component project is to support and advance efforts for a nationally integrated human and animal food (HAF) safety system through the maintenance of the Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS) and continuous improvement of Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Animal Feed Program. Through these initiatives, the program will compel mutual reliance between the state and federal partners, reducing duplication of efforts. WSDA will continue its conformance with current and future versions of the AFRPS and Preventive Controls of Animal Food (PCAF) which encourages safe animal food and promotes compliance with regulations. This project will ensure AFRPS is sustained and will maintain the staff needed for project deliverables; such as standardized processes and procedures for training, inspections, compliance and enforcement, and auditing. The program will assist in completing comprehensive full-scope inspections according to established frequencies and prioritizing high- risk firms in workplanning. In addition to maintaining the core regulatory and response foundations that have been established through AFRPS, WSDA plans to initiate Mutual Reliance objectives to continue identifying and strengthening integral professional relationships between HAF safety partners including Federal, state, local, and tribal stakeholders in the public health, agriculture, regulatory, laboratory, industry, academic, and emergency response arenas. Enhanced electronic communication and cooperative enforcement will support Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) overall goals of food safety, mutual reliance and efficient work planning while supporting the Animal Feed Program’s mission to regulate the safety and integrity of animal food, to protect animal and public health, and ensure market fairness. Through this multi-modal approach, WSDA anticipates the ability to contribute to an integrated food/feed safety system in a standardized and efficient manner to better protect the public health of Washingtonians, animal health, and the U.S. population as a whole.