Brazilian Seeks Partnership with Embrapa to Research Cannabidiol in Birds and Pigs

By Sechat editorial team

Brazilian entrepreneur Edinaldo Pereira dos Santos, founding partner of Bio-Sano Tecnologia em Saúde Animal, aims to revolutionize the national market by using cannabidiol (CBD) - a cannabis derivative - in birds and pigs. He has already begun discussions with researchers from Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) and hopes that advancements will lead to a research partnership. 

At the end of last week, Santos presented a work plan to the Pigs and Birds unit of Embrapa in Concórdia (SC) for the validation of the compound's use in these animal species. He believes that cannabidiol can be utilized in veterinary medicine, replacing some medications like antibiotics.

“The trials, the clinical studies, are for adult birds, and only later for laying hens and chicks,” Santos says in an interview with the MSN portal. The partnership between Bio-Sano and Embrapa will serve for field studies, research, validation, and registration of CBD for animals with regulatory bodies.

According to the report “Cannabis in the Pet Market” by Kaya Mind, there are a total of 36 companies manufacturing this type of product in four different countries, with 16 of them exclusively focused on the animal world, representing 44% of the total. The other 20 brands in this group offer products for humans, in addition to those intended for pets, representing the remaining 56%. 

Furthermore, the report indicates that the market for cannabis-based medications for pets could generate R$1.45 billion if there were appropriate regulation in Brazil. 

Regulation in Brazil

Since 2021, Brazil has been working on Bill (PL) No. 369/2021, which aims to regulate the veterinary use of cannabis, as well as its research, studies, and commercialization in the country. 

The Sechat portal reached out to Embrapa to understand the agency's position, but we have not received a response yet.