Even with the extension of the 2014 Farm Bill until September 30, 2021 USDA still plans to have program rules final in time for the 2021 production season and is NOT extending the open public comment period on the Interim Final Rules (IFR).
The public comment period on the USDA Interim Final Rules (IFR) for Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program, closes tomorrow, October 8, at 11:59pmET!
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has made clear that submission of evidence-based, solution-driven comments are essential to secure changes to the IFR. If you want to see practical rules adopted as final rules, USDA needs to hear from you!
USDA is interested in input on all aspects of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program, but is particularly interested in comments on the following:
Measurement of Uncertainty for Sampling
Liquid Chromatography Factor, 0.877
Disposal and Remediation of Non-Compliant Plants
Negligence
Interstate Commerce
15-day Harvest Window
Hemp seedlings, microgreens, and clones
Hemp breeding and research
Sampling Methodology – Flower vs. Whole Plant
Sampling Methodology – Homogenous Composition, Frequency, and Volume
Sampling Agents
DEA Laboratory Registration
Now is the time to get involved in understanding the rules and responding to them with solution-based suggestions. Read the rules here.
AgHS IS AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU WITH DRAFTING AND SUBMISSION OF YOUR COMMENTS!
We have created this Comment Form to help you in submitting comments. We are happy to submit completed forms to USDA, as long as we receive them no later than 5pm ET, October 8, 2020.
Please feel free to also draft up your own comments and submit them directly to USDA:
Written comments may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking portal
Comments may also be sent via email to farmbill.hemp@usda.gov
OR sent by postal mail to:
USDA/AMS/Specialty Crops Program Hemp Branch
470 L’Enfant Plaza SW
PO Box 23192
Washington DC 20026
COMMENTS ARE DUE
OCTOBER 8, 2020
BY 11:59PM ET (8:59PM PT)
The future of the Domestic Hemp Industry depends on
your support and our collective action NOW!
Our advocacy cannot stop after the comment submission deadline! The future of your business operations is at stake! We encourage all industry stakeholders to learn more about the AgHS Crossroads Campaign and our efforts to Align Federal Legislation and USDA Rulemaking with the Domestic Hemp Industry. Things are changing very quickly and it’s essential we all come together now, to protect the future of your businesses.