Brussels, Belgium
February 10th 2026

The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to clarify that all parts of the hemp plant fall within the agricultural framework and reiterates its call for the establishment of a harmonised 1% THC threshold under the ongoing review of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the revision of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 on the Common Organisation of the Markets (CMO).

In its position paper “Hemp sector proposal for the CAP 2028-2032”, EIHA sets out a coherent and proportionate reform package to strengthen legal certainty, competitiveness and sustainability in the European hemp sector. These measures will be discussed at Council and Parliament level in the coming months.

Strong support for Commission proposal recognising the whole plant

EIHA strongly supports the Commission’s proposal to ensure that all parts of the hemp plant - including leaves and flowers - are recognised within the EU agricultural framework
when derived from authorised varieties.

This clarification is essential to:

• End persistent legal uncertainty affecting farmers and processors.
• Prevent divergent interpretations among Member States.
• Safeguard the proper functioning of the internal market.
• Provide clarity for investment and innovation across the hemp value chain.

By recognising the whole plant as agricultural raw material, the Commission takes an important step toward resolving long-standing inconsistencies and ensuring regulatory
coherence.

A science-based and proportionate 1% THC threshold

In parallel, EIHA calls for the establishment of a harmonised EU-wide 1% THC threshold for industrial hemp cultivated under the CAP.

The current 0.3% limit no longer reflects agronomic and climatic realities. Natural environmental variations can cause compliant crops to marginally exceed this threshold, exposing farmers to disproportionate sanctions despite good-faith cultivation.

A 1% threshold would:

• Provide legal certainty and reduce climate-related crop losses.
• Expand the EU varietal catalogue and improve seed availability.
• Support research, breeding and innovation.
• Align the EU with international standards.
• Maintain the clear distinction between industrial hemp and narcotic cannabis.

Industrial hemp cultivated below 1% THC remains non-intoxicating and does not present public health risks. Consumer protection continues to be ensured through EU legislation
governing THC levels in final products. 

A coherent and future-proof framework

The CAP review offers a timely opportunity to modernise the EU hemp framework in a balanced and evidence-based manner. The Commission’s proposal to recognise the whole plant, combined with a harmonised 1% cultivation threshold, would create a stable, coherent and competitive environment for Europe’s hemp farmers and operators.

“Hemp is a strategic crop for Europe’s green transition and rural development. We strongly welcome the Commission’s proposal recognising the whole plant and call on legislators to complement it with a realistic 1% THC threshold that reflects agronomic reality,” said Francesco Mirizzi, EIHA Managing Director. “We’ll closely monitor the discussion and will keep on advocating for reasonable and science-based measures that can help our sector grow further”.

EIHA stands ready to work constructively with EU institutions and Member States to ensure that the post-2027 CAP provides long-awaited clarity and competitiveness for the
European hemp sector. 

Website: https://eiha.org/

Published: February 10, 2026