On January 11, 2019, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) issued a memorandum concerning the export of hemp commodities from Colorado Hemp Registrants to other states and international countries.
January 11, 2019
TO: All potential exporters of hemp seed, grain, and live plant parts
FROM: Laura Pottorff, CDA Phytosanitary (Export) Program Manager
RE: Export of hemp commodities
The Colorado Department of Agriculture assists producers in exporting plant products via our Phytosanitary program. This program supports and facilitates the export of plants between states and internationally by meeting receiving state/country pest and disease freedom certification requirements. This is a USDA APHIS PPQ and National Plant Board sanctioned program.
With the adoption of the 2018 Farm Bill, the Colorado Department of Agriculture nursery, seed, plant inspection and phytosanitary certification programs may be needed for your future business endeavors. This letter is provided as an educational and communication tool so that you may plan for future needs.
Nationally and internationally all propagative plant material and seed that is moving between states and countries must be inspected and certified for pest and disease freedom. Propagative material must meet national and international plant cleanliness standards. CDA and other state departments of agriculture are the only recognized certification authorities able to provide certification to meet these standards.
The following laws and export policies are in place for sale and distribution of seed and live plants:
HEMP
REQUIRED, registration in a state sanctioned hemp regulatory program. For Colorado please see https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agplants/industrial-hemp
SEED
Seed seller/labeler registration- REQUIRED –
All companies that sell seed in Colorado are required to hold a seed labeler or seed dealer registration with the Colorado Department of Agriculture per the Colorado Seed Act (Title 35 Article 27). Please contact Brian Allen (303-869-9071) if you sell seed within the State and are not currently registered, or visit the seed program web page for applications https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agplants/seed
All seed that is distributed domestically MUST be labeled. Labeling requirements may be found on the Seed Program web page https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agplants/seed
Inspection and certification of pest, disease and weed seed freedom – REQUIRED
When exporting seed to other states and/or countries inspection of seed in storage and/or in the field (mother plants) is required by the importing entity. Inspections are offered and completed by CDA at the request of the receiving state or country to certify that the seed does not harbor insects, diseases or weed seeds contaminants.
LIVE PLANT MATERIAL
Nursery registration REQUIRED (if exporting)
Nursery registrations are now required per the Nursery Act (Title 35 Article 26) when CDA inspects and issues certificates of inspection or phytosanitary certificates as required by national or international plant cleanliness standards and plant pest/disease quarantines.
Please see the nursery web page https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agplants/nursery for more information or contact Brian Allen with questions (303-869-9071).
Inspection and certification of pest, weed and disease freedom – REQUIRED
When exporting live plant products, there are many, many high risk pests and pathogens that may accompany plant material originating in one location to another location. This is why export of this type of plant material is highly regulated. CDA will conduct inspections of plant material at the time of shipment or will provide inspections of plants in the field or greenhouse on a monthly basis dependent upon needs.
The type of inspection CDA will perform and the pests/diseases CDA will need to certify freedom of are all dependent upon the receiving destination country or state’s requirements. Often, time is required for CDA to research the requirements to be met and to discuss criteria of plant entry with the receiving state or country. Please allow time for this type of research to be performed when contacting CDA to request inspection services. Cheryl Smith is our Export Specialist, please contact her with specific questions at 303-869-9073. Information is also located on our Phytosanitary web page https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agglants/plant-exports.
In summary, any propagative or live plant material that is distributed across state or international borders must meet national and international standards, including pest/disease quarantine restrictions. CDA provides the inspection and certification services needed to meet these standards and restrictions. Inspection services are offered monthly for high volume exporters (monthly inspection covers all shipments for a 30 day period) or we will provide a shipping point inspection (one inspection per shipment) for low volume exporters. CDA also provides Japanese beetle and European corn borer quarantine certification for all plant material exported to the western U.S. and Canada. Registration of your business may also be required when selling or distributing live plant material and seed. Additional fees apply for inspections and for phytosanitary certificates.