February 24, 2020
The California Department of Food and Agriculture seeks to fill seats on committees that advise the agency on handling crop pests and diseases and regulating industrial hemp.
Industrial Hemp Advisory Board
The CDFA Pest Exclusion Branch is announcing thirteen (13) vacancies on the Industrial Hemp Advisory Board (IHAB). There are currently eleven (11) board members with terms of office expiring on May 31, 2020 and Senate Bill 153 added two (2) additional board members, effective January 1, 2020.
The Board advises CDFA and makes recommendations on matters including, but not limited to, industrial hemp seed law and regulations, enforcement, annual budgets, and the setting of an assessment rate. The term of office for board members is three years. Members meet at least once per year but may meet more frequently if needed. The members receive no compensation but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources.
Funded by the industrial hemp industry and implemented by the Industrial Hemp Program at CDFA, enforcement of California Industrial Hemp Law ensures an orderly market of industrial hemp registration and compliance. The Industrial Hemp Advisory Board makes recommendations to the CDFA Secretary on all matters pertaining to industrial hemp seed law and regulations, enforcement, annual budgets, and the setting of an assessment rate required to accomplish the purposes of the California Industrial Hemp Law.
The Board has the following vacancies:
• Five (5) of the board members shall be registered cultivators of industrial hemp.
• Two (2) board members shall be members of an established agricultural research institution (as defined in FAC § 81000).
• One (1) board member shall be a representative as provided by the California State Sheriffs’ Association and approved by the secretary.
• One (1) board member shall be a county agricultural commissioner.
• One (1) board member shall be a representative of the Hemp Industries Association or its successor industry association.
• Two (2) members shall be representatives of businesses that sell industrial hemp products.