SILVER SPRING, MD. — The US Senate confirmed Martin Makary as commissioner of the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on March 25. Following this, both the Pet Food Institute (PFI) and American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) expressed their support of Makary’s appointment.

“PFI congratulates Makary and looks forward to working with him. The FDA is an important partner to US pet food makers, particularly as the agency continues surveillance and compliance efforts under the Food Safety Modernization Act,” said Dana Brooks, president and chief executive officer of the PFI.  “Food safety is the top priority for PFI members as they work to provide complete and balanced nutrition for the cats and dogs in 82 million US households and pets around the world.”

The AFIA specifically looks forward to working with Makary as it aims to bring animal feed regulations into the 21st century.

“On behalf of the 650 members of the American Feed Industry Association, we congratulate Marty Makary on his appointment,” said Constance Cullman, president and CEO of the AFIA. “We look forward to working with Makary and the FDA staff on our continued partnership to provide safe and nutritious animal feed and pet food to our nation’s animals. 

“It’s also important to continue the effort to bring animal feed regulations into the 21st century as US farmers and ranchers have limited access to the feed nutrition technologies to compete globally,” she added. “Dozens of countries are safely using feed ingredients on farms, yielding measurable results in improved animal production and wellbeing, while we are stuck with antiquated regulatory systems leaving US agriculture falling behind on the global stage. With Makary’s extensive career as a leading pancreatic surgeon, researcher and advocate, the AFIA believes Makary is positioned to focus on scientific and evidence-based approaches.”

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry.