Service Area Strategic Plan
2/9/2010   3:44 pm
Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (301)
Biennium:
Service Area 1 of 1
Regulation of Feed, Seed, and Fertilizer Products (301 557 06)
Description

This service area protects consumers from inferior products, fraud, deception, and illegal practices in the marketplace. Services include:

•Inspection and testing of feed, seed, animal remedies, fertilizer and liming materials
•Operation of the seed program including the seed laboratory
•Inspection of manufacturing facilities and processes
•Investigation or referral of consumer complaints
•Licensing, permitting, registration, and bonding of businesses, individuals, and products
Background Information
Mission Alignment and Authority
  • Describe how this service supports the agency mission
    This service area directly aligns with VDACS’ mission of providing consumer protection.
  • Describe the Statutory Authority of this Service
    Chapter 36 of Title 3.2 of the Code authorizes the Commissioner to inspect, test, and regulate all fertilizers distributed in the state.

    Chapter 37 of Title 3.2 of the Code authorizes the Commissioner to inspect, test, and regulate all liming materials distributed in the state.

    Chapter 40 of Title 3.2 of the Code authorizes the Commissioner to inspect, test, and regulate all seed distributed in the state.

    Chapter 48 of Title 3.2 of the Code authorizes the Commissioner to inspect, test, and regulate all commercial feed distributed in the state.

    Chapter 49 of Title 3.2 of the Code authorizes the Commissioner to inspect, test, and regulate all animal remedies distributed in the state.

    Chapter 47 of Title 3.2 of the Code authorizes the Commissioner to license and bond certain individuals involved in the commission based sales of agricultural commodities.

    The Commissioner is responsible for the investigation of complaints made to him concerning violations of the statutes listed above.
Customers
Agency Customer Group Customer Customers served annually Potential annual customers
Agricultural Brokers Agricultural Brokers 43 43
Producers Agricultural Producers 47,604 47,604
General Public Citizens filing complaints 10 50
General Public Domestic Pet Owners 1,600,000 1,800,000
Licensed Agricultural Businesses Licensed Agricultural Businesses 1,400 1,400
Producers Seed Producers 500 500
State & Local Governments State & Local Governments 100 100

Anticipated Changes To Agency Customer Base
None.
Partners
Partner Description
[None entered]
Products and Services
  • Factors Impacting the Products and/or Services:
    None.
  • Anticipated Changes to the Products and/or Services
    None.
  • Listing of Products and/or Services
    • Inspection and testing of commercial feed, animal remedies, fertilizer and liming materials: The service area inspects manufacturing facilities and retailers of agriculturally related products and retrieves samples for testing to ensure that farmers and consumers receive truthfully labeled products. Inspection of commercial feed mills ensure that these products are consistently manufactured and stored in a manner that prevents dangerous contamination and degradation. Manufacturing processes are also evaluated to measure compliance with Current Good Manufacturing Process program. Demand for these services is expected to increase, particularly in the area of commercial feeds.
    • Administration of the Virginia Seed Law: This service area seeks to ensure that seed sold in Virginia meets federal and state requirements for purity, germination, kind and variety. Staff in the Seed Analysis Laboratory tests seed for prohibited or noxious weed seeds that could threaten Virginia’s agriculture and the environment. Demand for these services is expected to increase, as growers continue to seek higher yields through the selection of appropriate seeds.
    • Licensing, permitting, registration, and bonding: This service area protects customers from unscrupulous business activities, protects the assets of agricultural producers, and regulates the activities of individuals involved in sales, production, manufacture, and truth in labeling on regulated agricultural products. Demand for these services is expected to fluctuate along with the economy.
    • Complaint investigation and referral: This service area investigates all consumer complaints related to agricultural inputs, including animal illness or death, crop failures, as well as unfair, deceptive or illegal business practices. Demand for this service is expected to increase as population grows.
Finance
  • Financial Overview
    [Nothing entered]
  • Financial Breakdown
    FY 2011    FY 2012
      General Fund     Nongeneral Fund        General Fund     Nongeneral Fund  
    Base Budget $570,784 $1,879,318    $570,784 $1,879,318
    Change To Base $-9,995 $0    $-9,995 $0
               
    Service Area Total   $560,789  $1,879,318     $560,789  $1,879,318 
Human Resources
  • Human Resources Overview
    [Nothing entered]
  • Human Resource Levels
    Effective Date      
    Total Authorized Position level Ø    
    Vacant Positions Ø    
    Current Employment Level 0.0    
    Non-Classified (Filled)    
    Full-Time Classified (Filled)    breakout of Current Employment Level
    Part-Time Classified (Filled)    
    Faculty (Filled)    
    Wage    
    Contract Employees    
    Total Human Resource Level 0.0   = Current Employment Level + Wage and Contract Employees
  • Factors Impacting HR
    [Nothing entered]
  • Anticipated HR Changes
    [Nothing entered]
Service Area Objectives
 
  • Provide consumer protection and support agriculture through the inspection and sampling of base inputs, i.e. seed, feed, fertilizer, animal remedies and liming materials.
    Objective Description
    This service area inspects manufacturers and producers of agricultural commodities to ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices. This service area also samples and analyzes agricultural products for compliance with established standards and truth in labeling requirements.
    Alignment to Agency Goals
    • Agency Goal: Provide agricultural and consumer protection services that support economic growth, meet consumer needs, and encourage environmental stewardship.
      Comment: This objective directly aligns with VDACS’ mission of providing consumer protection, and with long term objective # 1, as promulgated by the Council for Virginia’s Future, regarding the preservation and enhancement of our economy.
    Objective Strategies
    • Provide guidance to manufacturers regarding laws, regulations and registration requirements.
    • Seek to Implement a location risk-based inspection strategy based on enhanced data to be obtained with systems automation application.
    • Continue priority sampling of large-unbroken-lots of seed to reduce introduction of non-compliant seed inputs.
    • Continue priority response to consumer complaints in an effort to collect representative samples of products or observe alleged violations prior to corrective actions.
    Objective Measures
    • Total number of laboratory tests performed on agricultural input samples.
      Measure Class:
      Other
      Measure Type:
      Output
      Measure Frequency:
      Annual
      Preferred Trend:
      Maintain
      Measure Baseline Value:
      9500
      Date:
      6/30/2009

      Measure Baseline Description: 9500 tests were conducted during FY 2009.

      Measure Target Value:
      9500
      Date:
      6/30/2012

      Measure Target Description: Maintain the number of tests at 9500 annually.

      Data Source and Calculation: Key data is collected on all inspections. This data is compiled for each inspector, region, manufacturer/guarantor, and on a statewide basis. Miscellaneous reports can be generated through the use of an automated application.

  • Provide consumer protection by ensuring that animal feed manufacturing facilities and facilities using medicated drugs and medications in feeds are in compliance with current good manufacturing processes.
    Objective Description
    This service area inspects manufacturers of animal feeds and medicated feeds to ensure compliance with Current Good Manufacturing Practices. This service area samples and analyzes animal feeds and medicated feeds for compliance with established standards and truth in labeling requirements. This service area also contracts with the US Food and Drug Administration for a specified number of animal feed inspections.
    Alignment to Agency Goals
    • Agency Goal: Provide agricultural and consumer protection services that support economic growth, meet consumer needs, and encourage environmental stewardship.
      Comment: This objective directly aligns with VDACS’ mission of providing consumer protection, and with long term objective # 1, as promulgated by the Council for Virginia’s Future, regarding the preservation and enhancement of our economy, and with long term objective #7, regarding the protection of the public’s safety.
    Objective Strategies
    • Seek to implement a location risk-based strategy for the inspection of commercial feed manufacturers based on enhanced data to be obtained with system automation application..
    • Meet the contractual obligation with the FDA for the number of BSE surveillance inspections at Virginia feed manufacturing operations to ensure that feeds for ruminant livestock are free of prohibited mammalian tissue.
    Objective Measures
    • Number of inspections of retailers, Food and Drug Administration-licensed medicated feed mills, and non-licensed feed mills.
      Measure Class:
      Other
      Measure Type:
      Output
      Measure Frequency:
      Annual
      Preferred Trend:
      Up
      Measure Baseline Value:
      38
      Date:
      6/30/2009

      Measure Baseline Description: During FY 2009, this service area conducted 38 feed mill and BSE inspections.

      Measure Target Value:
      40
      Date:
      6/30/2012

      Measure Target Description: 40 feed mill and BSE inspections per year.

      Data Source and Calculation: Documentation is collected on all inspections and maintained electronically.

  • Enhance and protect Virginia's crop industries through operations of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Seed Laboratory.
    Objective Description
    This service area performs analytical seed testing in support of mandated regulatory compliance activities, as well as independent testing services conducted for seed producers in Virginia.
    Alignment to Agency Goals
    • Agency Goal: Provide agricultural and consumer protection services that support economic growth, meet consumer needs, and encourage environmental stewardship.
      Comment: This objective directly aligns with VDACS’ mission of providing consumer protection, and with long term objective # 2, as promulgated by the Council for Virginia’s Future, regarding the preservation and enhancement of our economy.
    Objective Strategies
    • Ensure continued certification by seed lab analysts and provide training opportunities that are consistent with the education recommendations of the American Association of Seed Control Officials.
    • Provide accurate and timely responses to clients' requests for testing services.
    • Ensure that staff possesses the competence and technical resources to test genetically-engineered seeds.
    Objective Measures
    • Total number of seed samples analyzed.
      Measure Class:
      Other
      Measure Type:
      Output
      Measure Frequency:
      Annual
      Preferred Trend:
      Maintain
      Measure Baseline Value:
      3000
      Date:
      6/30/2009

      Measure Baseline Description: As of the end of FY 09, the annual average number of seed samples analyzed per year was 3000

      Measure Target Value:
      3000
      Date:
      6/30/2012

      Measure Target Description: Maintain the number of seed samples analyzed at 3000 per year.

      Data Source and Calculation: Data on all samples submitted to the Seed Laboratory is tracked using an automated application. Relevant performance statistics can be obtained using said application.


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