The Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance has welcomed an update by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority on its stance towards hemp-based products for animal nutrition.
The APVMA’s role is to assess and register agricultural and veterinary products that are proposed for supply locally. The APVMA official stance was the following up to early this month:
“.. veterinary chemicals (veterinary drugs) containing cannabinoids or cannabis (including hemp), are veterinary products that contain these substances.”
The organisation had no registered veterinary chemical products that contained cannabis. This meant any nutrition products, including those containing hemp, were illegal.
This has long been a source of concern for the hemp industry. There is a chilling impact on Australian products and the growth of the Australian industry. Last month, the AIHA sent a letter to the regulator, highlighting specific and significant concerns regarding the APVMA’s regulatory approach. They requested a response in 30 days.
The complaint described issues revealed by Freedom of Information (FOI), and explained legal, business, and industrial development implications.
The letter appeared to have had its desired effect – and quickly – with the APVMA updating its position on May 1.
AIHA says that among the improvements are better guidance, the recognition of certain exemptions from animal nutrition, empowering compliant Excluded Nutritional or Digestive products (END), and simplifying compliance pathways for the manufacturers.
The hemp industry has won a major victory. said Charles KovessAIHA’s President. “The APVMA’s updated restores confidence throughout the sector, and allows compliant product to flourish in the marketplace. The AIHA has been a leader in advocating this change. We’re proud to see its positive impact on the hemp industry, pet health and livestock.
This achievement, according to the organisation, will lead to further innovations and encourages more Australian businesses into hemp production.
The AIHA The Australian Industrial Hemp Association was established to represent the interests of businesses, organisations and individuals involved with industrial hemp products and related services at national and international levels. It also represents local industries in global and international groups.