NFU Lobbying Success Brings Welcome Reform to Industrial Hemp Licensing
In a significant win for the UK’s industrial hemp sector, the licensing system for growing hemp is set to become more accessible, thanks to successful lobbying from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU). These long-anticipated changes aim to remove barriers that have discouraged many farmers from including hemp in their crop rotations, despite its clear environmental and economic advantages.
Unlocking the Potential of Hemp
Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa, low-THC varieties) is known for its versatility and environmental benefits. It grows quickly, requires minimal chemical inputs, supports biodiversity, and improves soil structure. Hemp can also be processed into a wide range of sustainable products, including building materials, textiles, and bio-based plastics.
Yet for years, farmers have faced a restrictive licensing process governed by the Home Office, which made growing hemp more complicated than necessary. Under current rules, growers must apply for a licence to cultivate varieties containing less than 0.2 per cent THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and are subject to strict conditions on where the crop can be planted.
2025 Reforms: Greater Flexibility for Growers
Following engagement between the NFU, Defra and the Home Office, new licensing arrangements are expected to come into effect for the 2025 growing season.
Under the updated rules, growers will be allowed to cultivate hemp anywhere on a licensed farm, as long as it is not in fields directly adjacent to sensitive sites such as schools or playgrounds. This change addresses a long-standing frustration among farmers who have been restricted in how they could manage their land, at a time when flexibility is essential.
The NFU believes this update will help make hemp a more practical option for farmers, especially as other traditional break crops become harder to grow due to increasing pest and disease pressures.
Further Improvements Planned for 2026
Two more positive changes are expected ahead of the 2026 season, giving farmers greater certainty and support for long-term planning.
Licences extended to six years
The maximum term for a licence will be increased from three to six years. This will provide much-needed stability for growers and make it easier to enter into supply agreements, which typically run for five years. Previously, uncertainty around licence renewals prevented many farmers from committing to hemp production.Flexible licence start dates
Farmers will also gain the option to defer the start date of their licence by up to one year. This new flexibility will ease business planning and reduce the pressure growers have faced in the past when licences were issued at the last minute, just before sowing was due to begin.
Looking Forward: Creating a Stronger Hemp Industry
The NFU sees these reforms as a major step forward and a clear example of what can be achieved through constructive dialogue between industry and government. The changes have been widely welcomed as a move towards fairer, more practical regulation that supports sustainable farming.
Looking ahead, discussions are ongoing about the potential to raise the legal THC limit for industrial hemp. The government has requested advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs about whether the limit could be increased from 0.2 to 0.3 per cent, in line with international standards. The NFU has confirmed it will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure UK growers are not disadvantaged in a competitive global market.
A Turning Point for UK Hemp
These upcoming changes represent a positive shift in policy and open the door for hemp to play a larger role in UK agriculture. With reduced bureaucracy and increased support for growers, industrial hemp is now better positioned to become a reliable break crop, a source of sustainable income, and a valuable part of the transition to low-carbon farming.
The NFU has made it clear that it will continue to champion growers' needs and push for further improvements where needed. For now, these reforms mark a welcome and long overdue breakthrough for the UK hemp sector.
