1. Veterinary Biologics Training Program(VBTP) to be Held in May
Registration is now open.
Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics
Press Release
February 13, 2026
Ames, IA -- The Veterinary Biologics Training Program will be held in Ames, Iowa, May 18-22, 2026.
The daily agenda and registration form can be found at https://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/IICAB/vbtp/.
Participants can register for a single day or the entire program. The program will be held at the Gateway
Hotel in Ames. A block of rooms is available at the hotel.
The Veterinary Biologics Training Program (VBTP) provides an overview of the USDA regulatory process for assuring the purity, safety, potency, and efficacy of veterinary biologics (vaccines, bacterins, antisera, diagnostic kits, and other products of biological origin). Representatives from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) present information on the requirements and processes for licensing/registration and testing of veterinary biological products. The inspection and compliance process for production, release, and post-marketing surveillance of veterinary biological products is covered in both lectures and workshops. Throughout the meeting, there are multiple opportunities to ask questions and meet individually with USDA CVB staff.
Professionals working in the veterinary biologics industry, researchers developing biologics, and regulatory personnel are encouraged to attend and learn about current CVB requirements. This course is a highly regarded overview of the current regulatory guidelines in the U.S. The Program is organized by the Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics (IICAB) and is co-sponsored by the USDA APHIS CVB and the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
The Program has been offered annually from 1996-2025. Over 3580 individuals have attended the program, including 940 international attendees from 97 countries.
Full schedule: https://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/IICAB/vbtp/
2. FDA Finalizes Guidance on Defining Durations of Use for Certain Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs for Food-Producing Animals
FDC CVM
February 12, 2026
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finalized Guidance for Industry (GFI) #273: Defining Durations of Use for Approved Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs Fed to Food-Producing Animals. The guidance provides recommendations for how animal drug sponsors may voluntarily establish defined durations of use for certain antimicrobial drugs that are important in human medicine (medically important antimicrobial animal drugs) and have one or more indications that currently lack a defined duration of use.
GFI #273 applies only to medically important antimicrobials given in or on the feed of food-producing animals. The FDA has identified more than 100 affected drugs: List of Approved Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs Administered in the Feed of Food-Producing Animals that Lack a Defined Duration of Use. All other dosage forms of these drugs (injectable, intramammary, tablet, etc.) already have established durations of use.
When animal drugs do not have a defined duration of use, it means the labeling on the products does not specify how long the products may be administered for an approved use. Many of the antimicrobial drugs affected by this GFI were approved decades ago. At that time, sponsors were not required to determine how long a product may be administered because antimicrobial resistance was not yet a pressing public health concern.
3. USDA proposes changes to line speed rules
Eligible pork and poultry establishments would be allowed to operate at speeds supported by their processes, equipment and food safety performance.
Industry Release
Feedstuffs
February 17, 2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced proposed updates to federal line speed regulations in poultry and pork establishments operating under modern inspection systems; these updates reflect years of data and experience and are designed to lower costs for American families, reduce outdated regulatory barriers for processors and support a more efficient and resilient food supply.
USDA's proposals would update outdated processing requirements for poultry and pork establishments operating under modern inspection systems, the announcement stated. The changes would update limits by allowing eligible establishments to operate at speeds supported by their processes, equipment and food safety performance, with USDA's Food Safety & Inspection Service maintaining full oversight. The proposals maintain full federal oversight in every establishment and reaffirms the authority of inspectors to slow or stop operations whenever inspection cannot be performed effectively.
Full text: https://www.feedstuffs.com/policy/usda-proposes-changes-to-line-speed-rules
4. Preliminary Testing Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wicomico County [MD]
A presumptive positive case of H5 Avian Influenza in a commercial broiler farm
MorningAgClips.com
February 15, 2026
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced a presumptive positive case of H5 Avian Influenza in a commercial broiler farm in Wicomico County. This is the first case of highly pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza (HPAI) on a commercial poultry farm in Wicomico County this year and the second case in Maryland in 2026. State officials have quarantined all affected premises, and birds on the property are being or have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the affected flock will not enter the food system.
Confirmation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory is pending, with final results anticipated in the coming days.
5. Deadly chronic wasting disease spreading in Ohio deer population
By Dave Golowenski, Special to The Columbus Dispatch
Columbus Dispatch
February 15, 2026
The epidemic that wiped out tens of thousands of deer in southeastern Ohio during summer and fall offered a spectacular reminder of what pathogens in the wild can do.
The outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) grabbed massive attention, all of it deserved, and disrupted whitetail hunting within a significant swath of the state.
Nearer to central Ohio, moreover, another lethal malady with nowhere near the kill count of EHD is moving glacially through the deer population. Chronic wasting disease, aka CWD, not only is spreading but isn't likely to go away.
Differences between the two deer banes are substantial in both causes and effects.
6. Idaho: Anthrax confirmed in cattle in Cassia County
By Robert Herriman
Outbreak News Today
February 13, 2026
Idaho agriculture officials reported on the confirmation of anthrax in cattle in a Cassia County beef herd.
Officials say none of the infected cattle entered the food supply, and there is no threat to food safety associated with this detection.
"The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is working with producers and veterinarians to reduce further spread and limit human exposure," said Dr. Scott Leibsle, Idaho State Veterinarian. "Control measures include proper carcass disposal and vaccination of susceptible animals in the area. Anthrax vaccine is approved for multiple livestock species and is highly effective."
Full text: https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/idaho-anthrax-confirmed-in-cattle