NIHC urges FDA to allow hemp seed in animal feed
by Katie Pfaff
The National Industrial Hemp Council of America has urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve hemp seed as an animal feed ingredient. The request came in the form of a letter sent from Patrick Atagi, president and CEO of the organization.
The letter was sent following a widely attended webinar in August hosted by the NIHC and the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). The meeting brought together officials from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), FDA, industry stakeholders and policymakers from across the country.
The webinar highlighted the science around animal feed and was attended by over 1,000 state regulators, veterinary professionals and hemp industry advocates.
In a news release, Atagi said numerous clinical trials on hemp seed ingredients in animal feed by Land Grant universities and others that have been submitted to the FDA all show the same outcome, that there is no transference of cannabinoids into the nation's food supply chain from animals raised on hemp seed meal. Those results have been consistent across various species of animals, including laying hens, hogs and dairy cattle.
"Hemp is an environmentally responsible and domestically grown alternative," said Atagi in the news release. "Considering the higher costs associated with the worldwide grain shortage, a sustainable American hemp crop is a nutritious source of animal feed and can lower the cost of farming feed inputs. This would be good news for not just farmers but for consumers who now struggle with the higher costs of milk, meat and eggs."
View a copy of NIHC's letter to the FDA on the council’s website.
About NIHC
The National Industrial Hemp Council of America provides high-quality networking and resources for its members, from farm to consumer. Its leadership is composed of leading international, federal, state, private industry, and government professionals throughout the sector. The organization is dedicated to furthering market development, assisting members in entering the industry, and educating consumers on industrial hemp and its applications. For more information, please go to www.nihcoa.com.
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