The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is no stranger to public scrutiny, particularly when it comes to the transparency and inclusiveness of its regulatory processes. Recently, the FDA responded to calls for regular public rulemaking meetings by pointing to its "listening sessions" as evidence of public engagement. However, this response is deeply flawed and raises concerns about whether the FDA-CVM truly understands—or values—the distinction between listening sessions and public rulemaking meetings . What’s the Difference? Let’s be clear: listening sessions and public rulemaking meetings are fundamentally different in purpose, structure, and impact. Listening Sessions: Designed to collect public feedback on specific issues. Informal by nature, often involving pre-determined topics and limited discussion opportunities. Do not include deliberation, decision-making, or procedural steps leading directly to new rules or regulati...