Australian regulators have missed a formal deadline concerning establishing regulations on the use of hemp in nutrition products for pets says the Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance (AIHA).
In April this year, the AIHA wrote to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) calling for clarification and reform concerning such products, at that point requesting a formal response within 30 days. In May, the APVMA amended its website to acknowledge hemp in the context of “Excluded Nutritional or Digestive” (END) products.
In early August at a meeting between AIHA and APVMA, the latter’s Director of Veterinary Medicines stated that “All END products are VCPs”. VCP stands for “veterinary chemical products”. As such, they would need to be registered — and none have, essentially making hemp pet nutrition products sold in Australia illegal.
But the APVMA’s legal counsel subsequently confirmed END products are not VCPs where criteria are met. According to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 (Cth): Section 5, an exemption can be provided for nutritional products under END criteria.
Then earlier this month, the AIHA sent a follow-up letter to the APVMA’s CEO regarding missing the deadline for replying to the Alliance about agreed actions on progressing an ingredient determination.
According to HempPet, which is owned by AIHA Treasurer Arthur Wajs, the situation has seen industry losses of $20M since 2022 and resulted in fewer hemp-based wellness options for pets.
“It’s time for clarity, so innovation in natural pet health can move forward!”
In commentary published on Australian Dog Lover earlier this month, Mr. Wajs said:
“We were hopeful that the APVMA’s website update in May would signal a clear pathway forward, but the reality has been a series of confusing and contradictory statements from senior officials.”
The AIHA is urging the APVMA to provide immediate and formal clarification confirming END products are exempt from VCP classification when used solely for nutritional purposes. Additionally, it wants the Authority to endorse a streamlined pathway for hemp using flaxseed as a model, and to strengthen its internal communications protocol.
