The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended the comment period for the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program interim final rule until Jan. 29, 2020, to allow stakeholders additional time to provide feedback.
USDA published the interim final rule on Oct. 31, 2019, as authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill.
This rule outlines provisions for the USDA to approve plans submitted by states and Indian tribes for the domestic production of hemp. It also establishes a federal plan for farmers in states or territories of Indian tribes that do not have their own USDA-approved plan.
The rule outlines provisions for USDA to approve plans submitted by states and Indian tribes for the domestic production of hemp. It also establishes a federal plan for producers in states or territories of Indian tribes that do not have their own USDA-approved plan.
Stakeholders are invited to submit written comments on the interim final rule and proposed information collection by visiting www.regulations.gov.
The interim final rule governs the production of hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill. The interim final rule does not affect industrial hemp that was or is being cultivated under the 2014 Farm Bill programs. That industrial hemp remains subject to the requirements of the 2014 Farm Bill.
Comments may also be submitted by mail to Docket Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; or by fax at (202) 720-8938. Comments received by Jan. 29, 2020, will be considered before a final rule is issued.
More information about the provisions of the interim final rule is available on the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program web page on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) website.