REMINDER TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND ADMINISTRATION
January 24 2022 - 5:08PM
At a time when every media outlet is running stories about
increased pricing on food, animal feed and related supply chain
shortages which the White House and USDA Secretary Vilsak claim are
coming as a direct of gouging by monopolies, the National Hemp
Association (NHA) encourages the Administration to invest in
America’s Next Natural Resource which can be part of the solution
for so many of the challenges facing our nation.
“The legal hemp commodity produces the most nutritional feed and
protein available to mankind” stated Geoff Whaling, Chair of NHA,
the nation’s leading hemp advocacy group. “Yet whether the subject
be food, feed, pure protein, climate, energy, new cement or
construction alternatives - issues which are this White House’s
highest priorities – we have not seen any direct support for the
research or infrastructure needed for hemp to fulfill its potential
to meet these goals.”
Hemp was reauthorized, after being prohibited for 85 years, to
be grown nationally through the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 which was
included in the Agricultural Improvement Act passed by the last
Congress. “It was the only legislation that both Senator
Schumer and McConnell agreed upon during the last session of
Congress”, said Whaling. “Farmers who are suffering welcome
the opportunity to add hemp into their rotations. Global companies
seeking sustainable fibers for a myriad of products — green
construction, light-weighting of electric vehicles (EVs),
batteries, textiles, a super food and super feed — seek a domestic
supply chain. Yet hemp, which was prohibited by the
federal government to serve the interests of the plastic and forest
industry 85 years ago, has not received the support or attention
necessary to allow this commodity to have a fair chance to compete
with the other commodities that have received billions of taxpayer
dollars.”
“The Administration continues to support traditional supply
industries with billions of taxpayer funds. They just
announced another round of grants and loans totaling over $1
billion to stand up small meat and poultry producers and
manufacturers, while ignoring the growing trend of millions of
American consumers who are turning to plant-based solutions, and
farmers who are wanting to switch from animal production to new,
environmentally friendly commodities like hemp.” said Whaling.
“Hemp seed was granted GRAS status for human consumption
years ago by the FDA and the nation relies on $600 million of
annual imported hemp seed to meet that demand. Yet hemp grain for
domestic animals and as a feedstock is banned” said NHA Executive
Director Erica Stark. “FDA continues to view hemp grain through the
lens of a drug. At a time when the Administration publicly states
it is looking at every way to address these national food and feed
challenges it is time for hemp to have the roadblocks removed and
to be given the consideration it deserves.”
“I hear the Administration on a daily basis tell the American
people and people around the globe that we face a global climate
emergency and that they are doing everything in their power, with
taxpayer funds and policies, to address these issues that are
crushing our planet,” said Whaling. “Here is a solution that is
ready and able to play a major role in mitigating climate change.
Ironically, when our nation faced another national emergency and
needed hemp — for rope, uniforms and cloth for World War II, even
though it was prohibited from being grown in any form — the US
government rebuilt the hemp supply chain and industry overnight
using the Commodity Credit Corporation. They then shuttered those
facilities and again prohibited farmers from growing when the war
ended." said Whaling. “I have heard the President and dozens
of officials state on numerous occasions that we have a climate
emergency affecting the planet’s food, feed and environment.” said
Whaling. “It is time for the administration to act upon the
numerous reports and plans they asked for, and received, to support
the case for hemp”.
The National Hemp Association is calling upon the Administration
to get serious about the global contribution that supporting hemp
can play for this planet.
About the National Hemp Association:
NHA is a non-profit corporation, based in Washington
D.C. with more than 50,000 supporters and members, is
dedicated to the development of the domestic hemp industry. This
goal will be attained by coordinating legislation, agricultural
organizations, farmers, processors, manufacturers, and retailers.
The promotion of the hemp industry is congruent with the desire to
improve the environment through production and utilization of hemp
farming and products. We see a direct relationship between the
products we use and stewardship of the land.
www.nationalhempassociation.org
Erica Stark
Executive Director, National Hemp Association
202-706-3911
erica@nationalhempassociation.org
Geoff Whaling
Chair, National Hemp Association
geoff@nationalhempassociation.org