RALEIGH, N.C. — Although production of hemp has been legal under federal and state law in NC, so far growers have been limited in what pesticides they can utilize. By law, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must review and approve pesticides for particular uses. EPA recently announced that for the first time it is accepting applications for pesticides that can be used on hemp. The EPA is currently considering applications of ten pesticides that are already registered for use on other crops. If approved, these pesticides could also be labeled for use on hemp.
The agency has stated that its goal is to review public comments and make final determinations on the applications by the end of 2019 so that they are available in time for the 2020 growing season.
The public comment period for these applications is now open and may be submitted by the deadline of September 23, 2019. Comments may be submitted in the following ways:
- Federal eRulemaking Portal: Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
- Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001.
- Hand Delivery
The list of the 10 pesticide applications currently being considered can be found in the Federal Register.
Read more at: https://industrialhemp.ces.ncsu.edu/2019/08/epa-opens-public-comment-for-hemp-pesticide-applications/
–Marne Coit, N.C. State University