The Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance (AIHA) has welcomed the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) updating its stance on hemp-based animal nutrition products.
The APVMA is responsible for assessing and registering agricultural and veterinary chemicals proposed for local supply. The APVMA’s current official stance on the use of hemp in animal nutrition products up until early this month was:
“.. veterinary products containing cannabis (including hemp) or cannabinoids are veterinary chemical products (veterinary medicines).”
With no veterinary chemical products containing cannabis registered by the organisation, this meant unregistered nutrition products including treats containing hemp were illegal.
It’s been an ongoing sore point for the industry, with a chilling effect on products available in Australia and stifling development of the local hemp industry. The AIHA wrote to the regulator last month, highlighting significant and specific concerns about the APVMA’s regulatory approach, and requesting a formal response within 30 days.
The complaint detailed issues revealed from Freedom of Information (FOI) documents, and outlined legal, commercial, and industry development implications.
The letter appeared to have had its desired effect – and quickly – with the APVMA updating its position on May 1.
Among the improvements says the AIHA are clearer guidance, recognition of exemptions for certain animal nutrition products empowering manufacturers of compliant Excluded Nutritional or Digestive (END) products to bring their products to market with confidence, and simplified compliance pathways for manufacturers.
“This is an important victory for the hemp industry,” said Charles Kovess, President of the AIHA. “The APVMA’s update restores confidence across the sector and enables compliant products to thrive in the marketplace. We are immensely proud of the AIHA’s leadership in advocating for this change, and we’re thrilled to see the positive impact it will have on pet and livestock health, as well as the broader hemp industry.”
The organisation says its achievement sets the stage for further innovation, encouraging more Australian businesses to engage in hemp production and commercialisation.
The AIHA was formed to represent businesses and organisations involved in any aspects of industrial hemp and associated products at a national level in Australia, and also represents the local industry in international and global groups and forums.
