Pubdate: Fri, 09 Jan 2009
Source: Ontario Farmer (CN ON)
Copyright: 2009 Ontario Farmer Publications
Contact:  http://www.ontariofarmer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/726
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?330 (Hemp - Outside U.S.)

HEMP ALLIANCE GETS FUNDING FOR REVIEW

The Ontario Hemp Alliance is working to put together a  review of 
Health Canada's regulations in three months.

The organization received $215,000 from the Advancing  Canadian 
Agriculture and Agri-Food program (ACAAF) to  carry out a complete 
regulatory review. It must be  submitted by March 31, 2009.

Over the last three or four years there has been a  steady increase 
in the processing of hemp, and the  development of many small 
businesses engaged in  developing new products and marketing of 
these  products. Work is well underway to evaluate hemp as 
a  potential source of producing pulp and fiber out west  and many 
Canadian hemp food companies are developing a  wide range of products 
from snack foods, to basics like  flour and edible oil. There are 
shampoos and conditioners, moisturizers, commercial paints, beer 
and  aromatherapy and cosmetic products. In addition,  industry 
experts estimate that 1/3 of Canadian hemp  seed production is 
certified organic, a sector growing  20 per cent annually.

Also encouraging is the collaboration between the  National Research 
Council Canada (NRC) and Hemptown  Clothing Inc., a manufacturer of 
hemp clothing. This  partnership is meant to develop enzyme 
technology to  process hemp to make fabric. The technology 
promises  dramatically improved fiber quality (softer, 
whiter  fabric) using environmentally friendly methods.

As a result, the Hemp Alliance says it's time for a  review of the 
industry and the creation of industry  standards. The regulatory 
review is a first step.

Niels Hansen-Trip was head of the Industrial Hemp  Section of Health 
Canada when the first regulations  were announced. He's now 
completing the 2009 review.

He says, "Our greatest challenge will be getting  everyone to the 
table within our timeline. We have  scheduled a series of meetings to 
get input from people  who work with hemp and we need them to come 
out and  provided their ideas." Those who have an interest in  hemp 
are encouraged to contact the OHA at  www.ontariohempalliance.org to 
learn more or contact  Niels at  ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom