A decision to classify hemp seed oil and by-products as “veterinary chemicals” has been met with outrage by the Australian Hemp Council (AHC).

The AHC say that the decision, made by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), would effectively wipe out a thriving $8 million market for hemp animal foods, threaten the fledgling Industrial Hemp industry, as well as businesses, and countless pet owners who rely on these products for their animals’ well-being.

Tim Schmidt, President of AHC, said the bureaucratic overreach isn’t just bad for businesses manufacturing hemp products for pets — it’s a blow to the entire hemp industry.

“We’re talking about millions of dollars and thousands of hours invested, only to see our efforts sabotaged by poorly researched, blanket regulations. We simply cannot let this stand.”

Hemp seed oil and by-products from hemp food production — which include husk from dehulling and cake from oil pressing — have been celebrated for their high nutritional value since legalisation for human consumption in 2017.

Sourced from industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), these products contain little to no cannabinoids (CBD or THC), yet they’re packedwith essential amino acids, fibre and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

The AHC state that the APVMA’s decision ignores established science, instead lumping these products into a one-size-fits-all position shared with medicinal cannabis and CBD products.

Dr Bronwyn Blake, who has been leading the AHC Fodder Group, has been campaigning for over a year, holding meetings and making presentations to parties including the AVPMA and various government departments and ministers.

“This is regulatory overkill at its worst. We’re not talking about untested, risky substances — we’re talking about basic nutrition for animals and ingredients that have been investigated and deemed safe overseas. We understand the viewpoint of APVMA, but not their processes.

“They want data, which we have, but there is a huge financial cost attached to having it reviewed. The APVMA is an under-resourced government department with 95 per cent of their funding coming from permit and application fees.

“How can they possibly provide an objective and well-researched opinion when they depend on fees like this to keep them afloat? It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to ensure all government departments are adequately resourced, ensuring they spend their time serving Australia rather than themselves.”

The AHC Fodder Group has now turned for support from both the hemp industry and the broader community with a new campaign, Paws for Wellness, with the goal of raising $50,000 to cover these regulatory costs.

“If you care about your pet’s health, or if you’re sick of seeing Australian industries crushed by unnecessary red tape, we need your support now.

“This isn’t just a fight for hemp — it’s a fight against the relentless creep of bureaucracy that’s putting our farmers and small businesses at risk and denying our animals the nutrition they deserve,” said Dr Blake.

Donations to Paws for Wellness can be made on the AHC website.

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