USDA Clarifies that Farmers Can Import Hemp Seeds
[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]L[/dropcap]ast week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made it clear that the U.S. Department of Justice has no role in importing hemp seeds from other countries.
After requests for assistance, the USDA clarified the regulations surrounding hemp seeds. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had been blocking Montana hemp farmers from importing seeds according to Sen. Jon Tester, and in an April meeting, he pointed out the issue to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. Tester again raised concerns by writing a joint letter with Sen. Patrick Leahy to the administrator of Customs and border Protect asking for an updated policy to reflect the 2018 Farm Bill regulations.
According to the USDA, importing hemp seeds with less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content was no longer under DEA jurisdiction, and that farmers were currently working under the 2014 research-related regulations while the USDA worked on new regulations. “U.S. producers and hemp seed exporters have requested assistance from USDA to provide an avenue for hemp seed exports to the United States,” wrote the USDA in a bulletin last week. “The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates the importation of all seeds for planting to ensure safe agricultural trade. Under this authority, USDA is providing an alternative way for the safe importation of hemp seeds into the United States.”
In the bulletin, the USDA described the two different processes used for importing hemp seeds from Canada and seeds from other countries. The seeds would still be open to inspection from Border Control officers to ensure their authenticity and freedom from pests. The processes are as follows:
Importation of Hemp Seed from Canada
“Hemp seeds can be imported into the United States from Canada if accompanied by either: 1) a phytosanitary certification from Canada’s national plant protection organization to verify the origin of the seed and confirm that no plant pests are detected; or 2) a Federal Seed Analysis Certificate (SAC, PPQ Form 925) for hemp seeds grown in Canada.”
Importation of Hemp Seed from Countries other than Canada
“Hemp seeds may be imported into the United States from countries other than Canada if accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country’s national plant protection organization to verify the origin of the seed and confirm that no plant pests are detected.”
