Sen. Moran Hosts FDA Commissioner in Kansas

Press Release

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman, hosted Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Commissioner Michael Taylor in Kansas on Friday, Oct. 16. They made stops in Manhattan, Kan., and Great Bend, Kan., along with experts and stakeholders at the local and state level.

"As someone who places tremendous value in learning about issues through conversations with Kansans, it was a pleasure to host FDA representatives to discuss important issues impacting our state," Sen. Moran said. "The FDA plays a critical role in reducing resistance to medically important antibiotics and overseeing the safe and judicious use of antibiotics in livestock production. The responsible use of antibiotics is both an agriculture and public health issue, impacting everyone from farmers and ranchers, to veterinarians, to consumers. It's important the FDA learn directly from the best experts in the field, including right here in Kansas, about the issue."

FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine Michael R. Taylor said, "We are grateful to Senator Moran and his fellow Kansans for the opportunity to meet directly with livestock producers, veterinarians and veterinary students as we transition toward more veterinary oversight of legitimate uses of medically-important antibiotics in food producing animals. The actions the FDA has taken to date represent important steps in addressing antimicrobial resistance, and we look forward to continuing our work with stakeholders to ensure the judicious use of antimicrobials to protect public health while ensuring that sick and vulnerable animals can receive the treatment they need."

Earlier this year at a Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Sen. Moran invited Commissioner Michael Taylor to visit Kansas. As chairman of the agriculture subcommittee, he has the opportunity to play a role in overseeing the activities at both the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). During the visit, Sen. Moran introduced Deputy Commissioner Taylor to Kansans to learn firsthand about some of the issues facing the state, particularly the agency's oversight of antibiotic use in the livestock industry, which directly impacts Kansas agriculture producers and has implications on overall public health.

The visit included a tour of Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine clinics, research labs, and diagnostic services. They also visited with a number of students about issues facing the next generation of veterinarians, their experience at K-State, and future plans after graduation. Additionally, they traveled to Great Bend Feeding to learn about the safe and judicious use of antibiotics in livestock production.

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