The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) announced that it has began contactless record inspections for all hemp grower registrants to ensure it can continue inspections safely during the COVID-19 pandemic even though operations have moved indoors.
Not only will contactless inspections help limit in-person interactions and the spread of COVID-19, but the VAAFM stated in a press release that it is also a way to stay connected with hemp program registrants and gauge their knowledge of the Vermont hemp rules, as well as collect essential industry data and offer compliance assistance as necessary.
“The online inspection forms are designed to collect information about a registrant’s total number of harvest lots, harvest lot yields, the total number of process lots, results of contaminant testing and more,” according to a press release. “In an effort to reach as many registrants as possible, the Program asks that registrants provide the requested information within ten business days from receipt of the form.”
Hemp registrants can expect the inspections to begin with a phone call, when they will discuss their hemp product lines with a registered processor. The processor will choose a specific type of product line as the focus of the inspection.
“Processors will then be asked to declare up to 10 process lots, submit required certificates of analysis, and fill out a short questionnaire,” the release states.
Following that, the VAAFM will stay connected with hemp registrants via email and use online inspection forms to gather information.
Growers may be asked to describe their 2020 growing season in a short paragraph; however, the question will be optional to answer.
In 2020, Vermont recorded 8,880 acres of hemp planted, 942 hemp cultivation license holders and 124 licensed processors.
If registrants fail to complete an online inspection, it may result in enforcement action.
For more information or questions regarding online inspections, contact Mike DiTomasso, the hemp program inspector, by email at [email protected] or by phone at (802) 505 - 3726.
