The new Common Agricultural Policy has been changed and the new maximum THC level on the field has been restored to 0,3%.
It was in October 2020, when the European Parliament had voted in favour of restoring the authorised THC level on the field from 0,2 % to 0,3 %. Today, one year later, the final proposal of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was adopted today by the Council, following the final vote at the European Parliament on November 24.
The new CAP will enter into force on January 1st, 2023, recognises the possibility for EU farmers to receive Direct Payments for hemp varieties registered in the EU Catalogue that have a maximum level of THC of 0,3 %.
This change entails a potential enlargement of the number of hemp varieties accepted under the EU Catalogue. As a reminder, this level only applies if farmers want to receive direct payments, meaning that in Europe it is possible to plant hemp with THC level on the field over 0,3 %, provided it is authorised by national regulations (e.g., 0,6 % in Italy; 1 % in Czech Republic).
"I have been fighting for this moment for over a decade. My special thanks go to our amazing team in Brussels, who have made this possible.” Says Daniel Kruse, President of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA).
“This is a great day for the hemp sector and another step towards a greener future for Europe. However, if compared to other countries worldwide, 0, 3 % is still a low limit; for instance, Switzerland, in the heart of Europe, has a higher number, and other EU countries already work with higher limits as well. Scientific studies and many years of experience prove that higher limits pose absolutely no safety risk for consumers. The EU lays the foundation for a growing, green and sustainable industrial hemp sector across our Union and it has the chance to achieve a level playing field again in global competition when it comes to the industrial hemp sector.”
Source: EIHA.org