Amber Betts
WSDA Communications
Animal feed experts at the Washington State Department of
Agriculture (WSDA) will join the Association of American Feed Controls
Officials (AAFCO) and the National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC)
for a webinar next week to talk about this issue: “Why
isn’t hemp in animal feed? A discussion on overcoming challenges and gaining
approval.” The webinar is scheduled for Aug. 9, from noon to 4 p.m. Eastern
time.
In addition to the nutritional value, hemp ingredients are a
potential alternative to existing, more costly, but already approved ingredients.
It is essential to ensure safety for each ingredient for every intended animal species,
as well as the humans that may consume meat, eggs, or dairy products from
animals that consume these ingredients. Each species has differing nutritional
requirements for their various life stages that are typically met through a
complete and balanced feed fed for long periods of time. Alternatively, humans can
choose what they eat on a daily basis to get their nutrition from a variety of
food sources.
Interest in including hemp in commercial animal feed has
gained traction since USDA’s Agricultural Improvement Act (also known as the
Farm Bill) passed in 2018. However, use of the ingredient in animal feed and
pet food remains under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration and state regulatory agencies with an established safety review
for all ingredients.
Webinar
The meeting organizers’ goal is to connect industry peers,
and discuss the challenges and how to move forward to make hemp a safe and
beneficial feed ingredient.
Fifteen leading experts from feed manufacturing, hemp
production, scientific research, and regulatory oversight will participate in a
three-part panel discussion, Q&A and conversation around:
- Scientific research and data,
- Ingredient review and approval, and
- Interests and concerns
More information on the event, and to register can be found
online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U1zWTzoqR5qS8Y2H2SMJnQ
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