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HFC says regulatory relief would make hemp more profitable for farmers

The president of the Hemp Feed Coalition (HFC) says the organization continues to push for a new farm bill that strengthens the growing industry.

Andrew Bish tells Brownfield, “What I anticipate is that we’re going to see a relaxation of regulations for the grain and fiber growers.”  He says, “That’s going to just make it easier for farmers to grow, take away some of the constraints and testing costs that are currently making hemp less profitable.”

He says it’s an opportunity for Congress to bolster hemp grain and fiber as an alternative to traditional row crops.

“There’s a pretty substantial demand for hemp grain in the United States, and we currently are seeing a big weakness relative to corn and soybeans.”  He says, “So, it is a viable marketplace and a place that farmers could turn to increase some of that revenue and diversify their crop.”

Bish says the farm bill discussions won’t have much impact on the use of hemp grain as feed, because animal feeds are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

AUDIO: Andrew Bish – Hemp Feed Coalition