[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 41 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF THE ANIMAL DRUG USER FEE ACT OF 2003

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                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2003

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bipartisan Animal 
Drug User Fee Act of 2003, legislation that I am introducing today with 
Reps. DeGette, Greenwood, Towns, Bilirakis, and John. 
  Closely modeled after the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, the Animal 
Drug User Fee Act is designed to give the FDA the resources and 
incentives necessary to significantly improve the animal drug review 
process. This legislation is sorely needed. Despite a statutory review 
time of 180 days and the enhanced flexibility granted the agency in the 
Animal Drug Availability Act of 1996, the average review currently 
takes about 1.5 years and may drag on for several years. This slowdown 
in review times is jeopardizing the supply of the new, safe and 
effective animal drugs needed to keep our pets, flocks, and herds 
healthy.
  The Animal Drug User Fee Act of 2003 is endorsed by a coalition of 
organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, 
the American Farm Bureau, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, 
the National Milk Producers Federation, the American Association of 
Equine Practitioners, the American Sheep Industry Association, the 
National Pork Producers Council, and the National Turkey Federation. My 
cosponsors and I anticipate that additional organizations will join in 
this endorsement as we move forward with the legislation.
  I urge my colleagues to join with me and the original bipartisan 
cosponsors of this legislation in supporting and cosponsoring the 
Animal Drug User Fee Act of 2003.

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