Brussels, 9 September 2025 – The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) has welcomed a landmark vote by the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (COMAGRI), which on 8 September adopted an amendment explicitly including hemp flowers as licit agricultural products in the EU.

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This decision represents a turning point for the European hemp industry. For the first time, the EU is moving towards a “whole plant” approach, recognising that all parts of the hemp plant — fibres, seeds, leaves, and flowers — should be fully legal for production and marketing, provided that the varieties are listed in the EU Common Catalogue and respect THC limits.

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“This is a strategic step forward for the hemp sector,” said Francesco Mirizzi, Managing Director of EIHA. “By stepping ahead of the Commission’s timeline, the Parliament shows leadership in responding to farmers’ needs and aligning EU rules with market realities. Too many companies have suffered from unjust and often shifting national rules banning the use of flowers, putting their businesses at risk. This must come to an end.”

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Why This Matters

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Until now, national restrictions across EU Member States have created a fragmented and uncertain market, particularly regarding the use of hemp flowers. The COMAGRI vote not only aligns with the European Commission’s proposal from July 2025 but also accelerates progress toward a harmonised European hemp sector.

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If adopted in the upcoming plenary vote and confirmed through trilogue negotiations with the Council and the Commission, these new rules could be enshrined in the Regulation for the Common Market Organisation (CMO) — the legal framework governing the internal EU market for agricultural products. In practice, this would mean that hemp growers and businesses across Europe can operate under clear, unified rules, with the potential for the legislation to take effect as early as summer 2026.

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CBD Seed Europe Welcomes the Change

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At CBD Seed Europe, we fully support this legislative progress. We believe that recognising hemp flowers as legitimate agricultural products is essential to unlocking the full potential of the plant for farmers, producers, and consumers.

We are also proud to be among the first companies to register our CBD-rich strains in the European Common Catalogue and to hold the Blue Label. This demonstrates not only our commitment to compliance but also our leadership in advancing high-quality, legally secure genetics for the European hemp market.

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Looking Ahead

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While debates within the Council are expected to be challenging, the momentum is clear: Europe is moving towards a future where hemp can finally be cultivated, processed, and marketed without outdated restrictions.

CBD Seed Europe will continue to follow these developments closely and support the work of EIHA in representing the common interests of farmers, breeders, and businesses across the hemp sector.

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Credit: European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA).

For more on their work and updates, visit EIHA’s website.