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Tag Archive for: hemp industry
NIHC Statement on the Election of Donald J. Trump
Washington, D.C. Nov. 6, 2024– National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC) President and CEO, Patrick Atagi, released the following statement on the results of the 2024 election.
“NIHC congratulates President-elect Donald J. Trump on his historic victory and strong performance among hemp interests from farm to consumers.
“This election represents a renewed opportunity for all Americans to work together and to commit ourselves to the American dream – life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and prosperity. We have collaborated with President-elect Trump during his previous time in office to enact historic wins for the multi-billion-dollar hemp industry to drive increased investment in the sector, create jobs and provide for American farmers and manufacturers across the country. We stand ready to get to work to address the policies in the Farm Bill and agencies which will define the legacy of the Trump administration, including.
• Use all tools available to remove improper trade barriers against Agriculture and industrial hemp. The USDA should work closely with the Office of the United States Trade Representative to remove improper barriers imposed by other countries to block U.S. agricultural goods.
• Eliminate federal regulations and directives that hinder or stop the export of American hemp products to international markets. Initiate a tariff on Chinese hemp products that come into the United States.
• Support of “Fit for Purpose” program of oversight for hemp farmers so that they may farm hemp without undue government restrictions. Mandate accredited and certified laboratories to test hemp and hemp products to expand the number of laboratories that can test hemp and hemp products and accepted by the Federal government. (Currently only Drug Enforcement Agency labs are eligible.).
“The 2018 Farm Bill was ‘starter fluid’ that ignited the rockets for hemp to take-off in the United States. The legislation increased wages, helped hire Americans and make tremendous investments in our businesses and communities giving us the certainty we needed to kickstart the hemp renaissance we have seen in recent years. Efforts to gain a global footing, provide American farmers with another commodity, reduce technical barriers to trade and leverage private and public sector resources to bolster manufacturing projects helped make the US a force globally and provide needed resources for allies around the world.
“However, we are facing historic storms on our meteoric journey today. Sector optimism is at its lowest level in years. The cost of Federal regulatory burdens continues to increase and severely hinder the industry. From onerous FDA regulations to misunderstanding of hemp regulations, and aggressive agency overreach, the policies of today are keeping ingenuity, know-how and shovel ready farmers from doing what they do best, farm. We believe that we can build on the successes of our previous work together to roll back burdensome regulations, unleash American grit and drive the economy of the future with a strong strategy developed by farmers, manufacturers, and retailers to make American hemp work.
“Elections by their nature are divisive but their results should lead to unity. As we approach this country’s 250th anniversary, the time is now to work together, trust each other and support the ideals and laws outlined in our constitution—with a faith born not of words but of deeds that we see every day on farms, rural America and cities across our country.”
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For more information, contact info@hempindustrial.com
ENDORSED BY INDUSTRY LEADERS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Hemp Leaders Unite on Plan of Action as Deliberations Over 2023 Farm Bill Approach Key industry stakeholders convened at the NoCo9 Hemp Expo in March to finalize a policy document that 31 nonprofit organizations have now signed.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 24, 2023) – As the 2023 Farm Bill deliberations approach, U.S. hemp leaders are united behind a plan of action. And this unprecedented alliance among 31 nonprofit hemp organizations portends promise for congressional enactment of the industry’s agenda.
This winter, three of the nation’s leading hemp organizations – Hemp Industries Association (HIA), National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC) and U.S. Hemp Roundtable (USHR) – joined in collaboration for the very first time to develop a series of policy priorities for enactment in the 2023 Farm Bill. The three groups then asked industry leader Morris Beegle to convene a meeting of more than 75 key hemp stakeholders at the leading national hemp gathering that he produces, the NoCo Hemp Expo. After an intense discussion, and follow-up breakout groups to expound on the deliberations, a priority policy document was finalized. Since then, 31 state, regional and national nonprofit organizations have signed on in support.
The document lists nine key policy priorities for consideration by Congress. These include requiring increase USDA funding for hemp internationally and domestically, FDA to regulate hemp extracts such as CBD; easing the regulatory burden on hemp farmers; repealing the hemp felon ban from the 2018 Farm Bill; and addressing THC limits for hemp. This document is being shared with key members of Congress and will serve as the foundation for drafting legislative language to be included in the Farm Bill.
NIHC President and CEO Patrick Atagi praised the work of the hemp industry for broadly coming together to endorse hemp priorities and hemp-specific Farm Bill priorities. “’Working Together Works’ are true words taught to me by my mentor, former USDA Undersecretary William ‘Bill’ Hawks,” Atagi said. “I am glad to see the hemp industry come together; it is a sign of great things to come.”
“This is an historic moment for hemp,” stated Jonathan Miller, USHR’s General Counsel. “The five years since legalization have been challenging, and the 2023 Farm Bill is our next and best opportunity to take this industry a step forward. The unity within the industry is remarkable and telling: Our shared voice will resonate with Congress and help us turn this opportunity into meaningful progress for hemp farmers and product consumers.”
Said Morris Beegle, co-founder and president of We Are For Better Alternatives, or WAFBA: “The last five years have taught us a lot, and more than anything, that we as stakeholders need to align our interests and our voices going into the 2023 Farm Bill so that we correct the regulatory deficiencies that have plagued the growth and development of this nascent industry. I’m optimistic and encouraged by so many organizations coming together at this time to collaborate and work in unison to improve the future of the hemp industry.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC) released the following statement responding to a limited German study indicating that dairy cows fed hemp silage showed adverse effects:
“We strongly believe that decisions about the use of hemp animal feed should be soundly based on science that studies the effects of hemp feed in animal diets and on their well-being.
“It’s important to recognize that what is being reported on is not an animal feed trial conducted by animal scientists who assessed nutritional aspects of hemp-based animal feed. Rather, this trial was conducted by risk analysts assessing the impact of cannabinoids from both low and artificially high-THC hemp.
“Perhaps the most important point to make with regard to food safety and animal welfare is that the study says multiple times that no adverse effects in behavior were observed in animals fed low-THC hemp silage. The sensationalist headlines from this trial are misguided and wrong.
“We understand and share the concerns about cannabinoids entering the nation’s food supply. However, we believe it’s important to clarify that hemp animal feed is made from the plant’s seeds and stalks, which are biologically incapable of producing any cannabinoids, unlike the hemp biomass used in this study. The distinction should be made clear to policymakers and the public: hemp seeds and stalks comprise hemp-based animal feed, and they are specifically excepted from the Controlled Substances Act because they produce no cannabinoids.
Government authorities around the world, including the FDA, have accordingly acknowledged these parts of the plant to be safe for human consumption (GRAS).
“Hemp is an environmentally responsible and domestically grown feed alternative. Considering the higher costs associated with the worldwide grain shortage due to the war in Ukraine, a sustainable American hemp crop is a nutritious source of animal feed and can lower the cost of farming feed inputs. This would be good news for farmers and consumers who now struggle with the higher costs of milk, meat, and eggs, and we look forward to working with the FDA and the livestock industry on science-based solutions that protect animals and consumers.”
About NIHC
The National Industrial Hemp Council of America provides high-quality networking and resources for its members, from farm to consumer. Its leadership is composed of leading international, federal, state, private industry, and government professionals throughout the sector. The organization is dedicated to furthering market development, assisting members in entering the industry, and educating consumers on industrial hemp and its applications. For more information, please go to www.nihcoa.com.
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Tag Archive for: hemp industry
KEHE CON – The Kenya Hemp Conference, Jan 20, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya
The Kenya Hemp Conference brings together industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to gain insights into international trade opportunities and understand the environmental benefits of industrial hemp.
Patrick Atagi, NIHC CEO & President, will be speaking on international trade and development. This one-day event will have many networking opportunities, sharing (challenges and opportunities), gaining market insights, and participating in discussions about the legal landscape of hemp.
Kenya is developing a sustainable hemp sector with innovative products and applications that could transform industries, from agriculture to manufacturing.
This is a wonderful opportunity to understand how hemp can be a game-changer for sustainability while empowering economic development.
Learn more about this exciting event here.
To find out how you and your company can become involved, please contact us at info@hempindustrial.com