FDA transfers animal health, dairy regulation to DA agencies

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lost its regulatory oversight on animal health and dairy products, with these functions now transferred to agencies under the Department of Agriculture (DA).

This strategic shift aims to streamline regulatory processes, enhance supervision of animal health and dairy production, and improve the overall competitiveness of these sectors.

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) will now be responsible for regulating veterinary drugs, biologics, and other animal health devices.

The National Dairy Authority (NDA) will assume full regulatory control over the country's dairy industry, managing everything from farm production to post-market distribution.

Applications filed with the FDA before October 28, 2025, will still be processed by the agency, but any unresolved cases by April 25, 2026, will be handed over to either the BAI or NDA.

New applications submitted after October 28, 2025, will be directed immediately to the relevant DA agency.

Current FDA-issued permits will remain valid until their expiration, and the existing fee structure will be maintained until the BAI and NDA finalize their own updated fee schedules following public consultations.