US Department of Agriculture publishes first hemp survey

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today started sending out surveys to all hemp producers in the country in hopes that their comments will help the agency gather data on operations and production.

The USDA’s first Hemp Acreage and Production Survey, entitled “Hemp Acreage and Production Survey,” was sent out on October 18th. It is the first time the agency has attempted to collect data on hemp crops. “The Hemp Acreage and Production Survey collects information about the acreage, yield, production, price, and value of hemp in the United States,” said the USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS).

“The program for the production of hemp plants set out in the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill 2018) enables hemp to be grown under certain conditions. The Hemp Land and Production Survey will provide the necessary data about the hemp industry to support producers, regulators, state governments, processors and other key industry companies. “

The USDA sent mailings to the 20,500 producers in the country, but those producers also have the option of answering the survey online instead using a 12-digit code that is included in their mailing. Completion of the survey is required by all producers under the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s Domestic Hemp Program and must be completed by October 25th. NASS plans to review all submitted data and release the results in February 2022.

“This first hemp survey will set a necessary benchmark and provide much-needed data for the hemp industry,” said Kevin Barnes, acting NASS administrator. “The information gathered can help guide producers’ decisions about growing, harvesting and selling hemp, as well as the variety of hemp they choose to produce. The resulting data will also facilitate a better understanding of the hemp production landscape among regulators, producers, state and tribal governments, processors and other key industry companies. “

Hemp survey follows this year’s new USDA final rule

Earlier this year, on January 19, 2021, the USDA published information on its final regulation on hemp production after two years of discussion. The rule went into effect on March 22, 2021 and changed the key text of the original 2018 Farm Bill. These new rules include:

1. The 0.3 percent THC limit, where a product with less than one percent is no longer considered “negligent”.
2. Immediate destruction of hemp that does not meet the 0.3 percent THC requirement includes composting, burying, or incinerating.
3. Hemp testing will be conducted by DEA-registered facilities after December 31, 2022 (when more facilities become available to meet national needs).
4. Hemp samples are collected 30 days after harvest (up from 15 days).
5. The approval of a performance-based sampling approach.
6. Tribes can rely on their jurisdiction in their territory.

Two years was a long time to finalize these rules, but many industry members agreed that it was necessary to implement properly researched hemp growing regulations. “Legalizing a new market while ensuring that any foreseeable hiccups are resolved at the beginning of the harvest is a process like everything else,” said Michelle Donovan, senior counsel at Clark Hill law firm. AJ Papack, the president of Vermont Organic Science, agreed that the rules of the hemp industry will pave the way.

“It is time the USDA published rules for the hemp sector,” said Papack. “With CBD products, extreme tests have to be carried out to ensure GMP compliance. While I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing, companies are going to need a lot of capital for GMP compliance. “

Meanwhile, hemp continues to be a focus for research, growth and progress. Oregon State University received a $ 10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture last week. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 45 on October 6, which established a framework for the manufacture and sale of hemp products such as smokable hemp and infused foods and beverages that went into effect immediately. In August, a Texas judge declared the ban on smokable hemp unconstitutional.