Jun 15 2011
Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration: Veterinary Drugs and the US and Global Markets
When I landed at the International Trade Administrations (ITA), an office of the Department of Commerce, I really did not know what to expect. I was eager to begin my research and ready to soak up as much information as I was capable. Upon walking into the door of the ITA I knew only the subject of my two month long project, but nothing of the specifics that would fill the daunting thirty page paper looming over my head. As is normal with a new job, I found myself a bit lost at first. I did not know how to find the information I sought or even who could point me in the right direction. This haze did not last long and a full day of searching around on the internet gave me enough information to feel comfortable asking others in the office. As soon as I did, the flood gates opened and I was bombarded with information and pointed in new directions. Before I knew it, I was just another in the office; someone actually asked me for answers the other day. Within fifteen minutes, I had the answer; I had contributed, unexpectedly but appropriately and I hoped to do more. We shall see what the next two months throws at me; if I can handle the project generously given to me, I think I can handle anything.
So what is this new project? I am tasked with finding out what the domestic and global market it for veterinary drugs. Generally this encompasses both animal pharmaceuticals and biologics. The ITA is interested in knowing how large the industry is, both in this country and globally. Critical to this inquiry is the state of the US export market, the main nations importing US animal drugs and the potential for growth. Also important are the existence of trade barriers found and what, if any, effect they have on the US export market.
A very important aspect of the vet drug industry, domestic and globally, is the social, economic and environmental issues associated with the use of the drugs on animals. The main focus being the effect of human health from the consumption of the meat treated with the drugs when the animal was still alive. This issue seems to break down into two separate issues depending on the type of drugs used. In the realm of antibiotics, the issue rests with bacterial resistance. When it comes to drugs such as pharmaceuticals, the issue rests with the residues of the drugs left at the time of human consumption. Both are issues that face the industry and how these are resolved may have a direct impact on the future of the industry.
This project will conclude with my recommendations, based on my research of the industry and the issues related to it, on if the ITA should supplant itself into the fray and begin representing the industry as it goes forward. In March of 2010 President Obama put into effect the National Export Initiative (NEI) and the ITA is interested in knowing if the vet drug industry is one that needs to be along for the ride.
This will quite possibly be the most difficult thing I have ever done, but if there is one thing that I have learned in law school, it is that the more difficult something is going to be the better you feel when you have finally completed it. I take this optimistic view as I go forward, with an open mind and an open ear.