Work is being done to engage the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the potential that hemp provides as a food source for animals. The Hemp Feed Coalition (HFC) is working with the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and the Association of American Feed Control Officials in an effort to bring hemp-based ingredients through the feed approval process. The 2018 Farm Bill authorized the production of industrial hemp which should help speed up the process. However, HFC points out that there is still a lack of research into the specific nutritional value that hemp can provide for livestock.
There appears to be substantial interest for hemp as an animal food source, as the coalition has raised a considerable amount of money from industry members who support its regulatory work. Several academic institutions have also expressed interest in researching the potential for hemp to be used in animal feed. Some of the research needs include evaluating the nutritional value of hemp through analyzing various acids, vitamins, and minerals in hemp and its by-products.
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