Hemp ingredients still not approved for use in animal feed

While 2018 farm bill allows industrial hemp to be grown in research programs, feed control officials say hemp and hemp-derived products are not approved yet for use in animal feed.

Industrial hemp may be a new buzzword in agriculture, but following a recent Kansas State University webinar, feed officials issued a reminder that no hemp or hemp-derived products, including cannabidiol (CBD) oil, are currently approved for use in animal feed or pet food.

The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, also referred to as the farm bill, expanded production opportunities for growing hemp across the country, an announcement from Kansas State said, noting that 2019 is the first year that it is legal to grow hemp in Kansas, but only within research programs outlined by the farm bill.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) has developed the Kansas industrial hemp research program, which offers potential for diversification for Kansas farmers looking for an alternative crop or new farming enterprises, according to Kansas secretary of agriculture Mike Beam.

Industrial hemp can be used in various products, including paper, biodegradable plastics and construction materials.

Ken Bowers, feed technical director with the KDA Dairy & Feed Safety Program, said two agencies regulate feed and feed ingredients in Kansas: KDA and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Bowers said feed ingredients used in animal feed in the U.S. undergo a scientific review by the company that is proposing the ingredient. The company submits the review through one of several avenues for approval, but to date, no hemp or hemp-derived products have been approved. The regulations are designed to keep animals and people safe. “That’s the only way to get a legal, approved ingredient,” he said.

The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine has safety concerns that must be addressed through scientific studies regarding tetrahydrocannabinol and CBD. These concerns and scientific studies have not been addressed yet by the industry, Bowers said.

Extension educators have been fielding questions about whether hemp or hemp-derived products can be used as feed ingredients, said Justin Waggoner, beef cattle specialist with K-State Research & Extension and webinar coordinator.

“It’s really important that our stakeholders are knowledgeable on industrial hemp and what can and can’t be done with it in the state of Kansas,” KDA compliance education coordinator Dana Ladner said during the webinar.

Earlier in May, the Association of American Feed Control Officials updated its position on hemp, emphasizing that hemp and hemp products may not be used in animal feed or pet food in the U.S.