La. Admin. Code tit. 7 § XIII-1319

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section XIII-1319 - Requirements for Seed Producers and Growers

A. Licensed seed producers and growers shall post a sign at each field, greenhouse, or indoor growing structure. The sign shall comply with the following requirements and remain posted during the entire crop cycle:

1. the designation, "Louisiana Industrial Hemp Program";

2. industrial hemp license number;

3. LDAF industrial hemp programs telephone number;

4. minimum sign size shall be 18 inches by 24 inches for a field and 8.5 inches by 11 inches for a greenhouse or indoor growing structure;

5. the sign shall be posted at the main entrance of each field, greenhouse, or indoor growing structure; and

6. the sign shall be printed and conform to the design template provided to each licensee by LDAF.

B. LDAF may sample and test any industrial hemp material in a licensee's possession at any time if there is reason to believe that a violation of this Chapter has occurred.

C. A licensee shall submit in writing a completed Harvest or Destruction report to LDAF within 15 days of the intended harvest date or intended destruction date of a failed crop.

D. Planting Reports

1. Grower licensees shall submit a completed first report of planting on a form provided by LDAF for all hemp plantings within 15 days of planting;

2. For all true seed production, seed producer licensees shall submit a completed first report of planting on a form provided by LDAF within 15 days of planting; and

3. For all vegetative stock plantings, seed producer licensees shall submit a completed quarterly planting report on a form provided by LDAF on or before March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year.

E. Representatives of LDAF shall be provided with complete and unrestricted access to all industrial hemp plants, whether growing or harvested, and all land, buildings, and other structures used for the cultivation, handling, and storage of all industrial hemp plants and all locations listed in the license application.

F. An industrial hemp crop shall not be harvested more than 30 days following the date of sample collection by LDAF, unless specifically authorized in writing by LDAF.

G. An industrial hemp crop planted or cultivated in a field, greenhouse, or indoor growing structure shall be planted or cultivated in a manner to allow LDAF to collect a representative sample throughout the entire crop. If a crop is not planted or cultivated in such a manner that allows for the collection of a sample throughout the entire crop, then the grower shall make modifications to the crop to allow collection and sampling throughout the entire crop.

H. A licensee shall destroy any unharvested industrial hemp plants contained in a field, greenhouse, or indoor growing structure or any portion thereof resulting from crop failure or that licensee's failure to harvest for any reason. LDAF shall approve the written destruction method of the unharvested industrial hemp plants.

I. A licensee shall monitor and destroy volunteer industrial hemp plants from the licensee's cultivation for a period of three years after cultivation ends.

J. A licensee who fails to timely submit a Harvest or Destruction Report or who harvests a crop prior to a sample being collected by LDAF may be subject to crop destruction and regulatory action up to and including license revocation.

K. Licensed seed producers and growers shall report industrial hemp crop acreage or square footage to the USDA Farm Service Agency and shall provide, at a minimum, the following information:

1. street address and, to the extent practicable, GPS location for each field, greenhouse, or indoor growing structure where industrial hemp will be cultivated;

2. acreage or square footage for each field, greenhouse, or indoor growing structure dedicated to the cultivation of industrial hemp; and

3. LDAF license number.

L. Along with the required planting reports, grower and seed producer licensees shall provide LDAF with the corresponding Farm Service Agency FSA 578 form for each planting.

La. Admin. Code tit. 7, § XIII-1319

Promulgated by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Chemistry and Seed Commission, LR 46173 (2/1/2020), Amended LR 47439 (4/1/2021), Amended LR 471835 (12/1/2021), Amended LR 481744 (7/1/2022).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:1464, R.S. 3:1467, and R.S. 3:1468.