The North American Camelina Trade Association (NACTA) has announced the achievement of yet another milestone in its efforts to build camelina production and marketing opportunities for growers. The industry received a letter of no objection from the Center for Veterinary Medicine, a department of the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), for the use of camelina meal in the diets of laying hens for up to 10 per cent of the weight of the total ration. Camelina meal is a co-product of camelina oil extraction.

Camelina meal has already received a letter of no objection from the FDA for inclusion in up to 10 per cent of the weight of the total ration of broiler chickens and beef cattle based on previous studies. This latest inclusion in the diet of laying hens was the result of a detailed study conducted by Great Plains – The Camelina Company, using FDA approved protocol at Texas A&M 's University Poultry Research Center.

NACTA was formed in February 2009 by 13 camelina seed companies, processors and researchers. The association works to promote research, production and the development of new markets for camelina, which is a relatively new energy crop in North America that has exciting potential.

Sam Huttenbauer, secretary of NACTA, said: "The addition of the laying hen market for camelina meal feeding is a tremendous step in building a strong, long-term market for camelina production. This market provides camelina producers an important additional meal outlet for this excellent feed source.

"NACTA has made tremendous progress over the last year and a half and continues to find ways to increase the value of camelina for its producers."

NACTA will continue working to obtain certification from the Food and Drug Administration for additional market segments such as swine and dairy, giving camelina producers even more options to drive revenue.

Camelina sativa, also known as gold of pleasure or false flax, is a member of the mustard family and a distant relative to canola. It is a fast-growing, short-season crop that requires less water and fewer inputs than many crops. Its high oil content and other properties make it a great fit for biofuel production, and interest in the crop has grown significantly in recent years. Camelina has been used in high-profile commercial and military tests as an aviation fuel feedstock, showing tremendous promise as a next-generation biofuel feedstock that is available now.