The New Zealand animal foods regulations are under review
The agricultural and horticultural industries are on the brink of a transformative change, and we need your voice to make it happen! The Agricultural and Horticultural Products Regulatory Review is currently underway, offering a golden opportunity to push for the legalization of hemp seed co-products as a food source for animals.
For our industry to survive we must have full plant utilisation and access to the revenue streams from all parts of the plant
Why is this Important?
- Economic Opportunities: Legalizing hemp seed food for animals opens up a massive new revenue stream for the industry. Imagine turning what was once a costly disposal problem into a profitable venture. The hemp seed industry has the potential to boost the economy by creating jobs, increasing farm incomes, and stimulating innovation.
- Environmental Benefits: Hemp seed co-products, which were previously considered waste, can now be repurposed as a valuable resource. By keeping these products out of landfills, we reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable and circular agricultural sector.
- Animal Health: Hemp seed is rich in omegas and other nutrients that can significantly improve animal health. Incorporating hemp seed into animal feed could lead to healthier livestock, which means better quality products for consumers.
The History of Hemp Seed Co-products as Animal Food in NZ (or lack of)
Our industry was started on the basis that we had access to the animal feed market. During the industrial hemp trials (2000-2005), the New Zealand Food Safety Authority position supported the use of iHemp as an animal feed – Sale of Hemp Seed oil as Food 12 May 2004, stating.
“Domestic sale of hemp in animal fodder. Schedule 4 of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act does not prohibit the use of hemp in animal feed (for standing crops opened to animals grazing and oral nutritional compounds such as traded feed) NZFSA considers hemp grown in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s hemp trial licenses THC is unlikely to breach Schedule 4”
This was part of the Food Safety Regulations 2002, as shown in Fact Sheet from the NZ Food Safety Authority.
Are There any Risks?
In the context of the Review, this trade-off means reducing access and/imposing risk management requirements on agricultural and horticultural products in return for reduced harm. These harms include to:
- human health
- export trade in primary products
- animal welfare and plant health
- environmental damage
- biosecurity
We have evidence showing hemp seed foods for animals are risk-free, the only issue ACVM has is regarding trade, which relates to “the perceived risk that THC and CBD metabolites will remain in milk and meat being exported to sensitive export markets”.
Of course, the emerging Green protein industry does not want to adversely affect the existing Red and White protein industries, and the risk of a trading partner using the presence of hemp as a feed, to affect trade negotiations (or worse halt imports) is significant. However without the secondary animal feed market, the economics for our hemp seed foods industry is difficult.
We Have the Evidence
The Federation of International Hemp Organizations (FIHO) have released two documents to provide evidence of the levels and the potential effects;
FIHO Position Paper Hemp in Livestock Feed Final
FIHO Position Paper Hemp in Livestock Feed Final Summary
The Hemp Feed Coalition in America has just obtained approval to allow hemp seed cake to be used as a feed for laying hens, allowing the first legal market to flourish. Read more via Lancaster Farming.
Brad Lake from The Brothers Green highlights the frustrations for those in the industry having to put to landfill usable co-product rather than utilising in animal feed products.
What Does the Term “Hemp Seed Co-Products” Mean?
Hemp seed co-products encompass hemp seed oil, hemp seed meal, hemp seed hull/shell, and hemp seed fines. Wherever this is mentioned in our terminology or supporting reference material, it includes all of the products listed above.
What You Need to Do
This is a no-brainer. We have a clear path to making hemp seed animal feed legal, but we need collective action. Your submission can make a difference! The window to submit your support is open, and the time to act is NOW.
The NZHIA has prepared a submission document template; it is critical that you download this document to retain the reference links, as this is supporting information for your submission. Download here.
Please open and save this document, personalise it with your own views or simply upload it to your submission (see below for links to the Ministry overview page and the SUBMISSION form).
How to Submit
Click here to submit your feedback to the Agricultural and Horticultural Products Regulatory Review. Let’s seize this opportunity to drive positive change for our industry and our environment.
Submissions close on Sunday 8 September 2024. The countdown is on – do this NOW!
