The Hemp Feed Coalition is celebrating after a successful vote by the full AAFCO membership on allowing hemp seed meal for laying hens.
Hemp Seed Meal (HSM) is obtained by grinding or milling the cake, which is what remains after pressing hemp seeds to extract oil. While a waste product, HSM retains an excellent nutritional profile for stock feed purposes, containing essential vitamins, minerals, and a complete protein profile.
The challenge in the USA to this point is that it has been banned for use as stock feed. To lift the ban required approval from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which regulates animal feed and pet food. Years of advocacy by the Hemp Feed Coalition (HFC), a collective that has led the push for acceptance, have finally paid off.
“As of this morning, the full AAFCO membership approved Hemp Feed Coalition’s Ingredient Definition for Hemp Seed Meal for Laying Hens,” said the Coalition last week. “This groundbreaking federal approval of a hemp feed ingredient is a major moment for the hemp industry as well as the health of our animals.”
Part of the definition states:
- HSM must be labeled with guarantees for minimum crude protein and maximum crude fat on an as-fed basis.
- The meal shall contain no more than 20 ppm of total cannabidiol (Total CBD = CBD + (CBDA x 0.877)) and no more than 2 ppm of total tetrahydrocannabinol (Total THC = delta-9-THC + (THCA x 0.877)).
- It is used in diets of laying hens as a source of protein and fat at an inclusion of no more than 20% of the diet.
The push to use HSM was by no means without opposition, with several groups unsuccessfully arguing it should remain in place. The HFC said baseless claims were made and the groups didn’t represent the interests of US operators
The next step will see HSM being provisionally included the AAFCO Official Publication, at which point commercial adoption can commence – assuming the relevant regulators in each state accept it for local use.
The HFC won’t be resting on its laurels.
“This milestone is just the beginning,” said the National Hemp Association, “The Hemp Feed Coalition remains dedicated to expanding the authorization of hemp seed products across a wider range of animals.”
HSM is just one of the many agricultural uses for hemp.
