Maintenance of the Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards with Mutual Reliance Initiative in South Carolina

Overall Project Summary-Abstract The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) seeks funding support for costs associated with maintaining a comprehensive and integrated animal feed safety program, allowing for three years of maintenance funding with the Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS). Funding is also being sought for the Mutual Reliance Track to expand comprehensive non-contract inspecƟon work conducted under both South Carolina state and Federal FDA authority in an increased effort for mutual reliance between State and Federal partners. The AFRPS Maintenance funds support five Feed Safety Program employees, including one AFRPS Coordinator that is exclusively dedicated to the successful development and maintenance of the integraƟon of AFRPS within the SCDA Feed Program. In addiƟon, parƟal AFRPS funding supports the Feed Safety Program Manager, two Feed Safety Inspectors, and one Feed Safety Compliance Officer to aid in programmaƟc, inspecƟonal, compliance, and enforcement efforts of the Standards. These five personnel will also aid in achieving the Mutual Reliance Track funding opportunity objecƟves and requirements, including non-contract inspecƟon work, compliance, enforcement, reporƟng, and workplanning efforts. Their posiƟons will be parƟally supported by Mutual Reliance funds. During the proposed three years of AFRPS Maintenance and Mutual Reliance funding, SCDA will conƟnue to refine the Feed Safety Program, including maintaining full implementaƟon of all eleven standards and improving the collaboraƟve inspecƟonal work, firm inventory alignment, and data sharing between State and Federal partners to ensure a cohesive mutual reliance program.