Pubdate: Mon, 29 Sep 2014
Source: Mercury, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2014 Davies Brothers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.themercury.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/193
Author: Roger Hanson
Page: 15

INDUSTRIAL HEMP COULD BE BIG, BUT FOR RED TAPE

OUT in the fields and talking with farmers it is glaringly obvious 
Tasmania is missing out on a huge opportunity from one of the oldest 
sustainable industries on the planet: industrial hemp.

Tasmania stands on the brink of a bold new industry with hemp. 
However, despite having many regulatory regimes to develop models for 
production of industrial hemp, we are going nowhere.

Industrial hemp is not a drug: it has virtually has no THC, the 
psychoactive component of marijuana. It seems to get confused with 
medicinal cannabis.

The two are quite separate: hemp is used for food and fibre, 
medicinal cannabis to help pain relief.

We need the discussions and debate on medicinal cannabis, but we must 
have delineation of the two issues.

Smart farmers Tim Schmidt and his wife Pip this season grew their 
first small crop of industrial hemp on their 330ha farm near 
Deloraine for human consumption because not only is it a great crop 
to grow but has so many health advantages.

Tasmania is one of only two places in the world where you can't 
consume industrial hemp. It's just crazy.

Hemp seeds and oil are used in many countries in a range of foods, 
including health bars, salad oils, non-soy tofu, non-dairy cheeses, 
as an additive to baked goods, as well as being used as the whole 
seed, raw or roasted.

The leading representative body for Tasmanian primary producers, the 
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, says there is too much 
State-based regulation for farmers to grow industrial hemp profitably.

It doesn't make sense that there are more rules around growing 
industrial hemp than for growing opium poppies.

About 60ha of industrial hemp is grown in Tasmania, mainly in the 
North and North West, but it could be grown as a broadacre rotational 
crop on the back of significant investment by farmers in irrigation.

Industrial Hemp Association of Tasmania president Phil Reader, from 
Bishopsbourne, says there is plenty of interest from farmers to grow the crop.

Positive signs from State Primary Industries and Water Minister 
Jeremy Rockliff saying his new AgriGrowth Tasmania department will 
report on how to cut red tape.

Denison independent Andrew Wilkie is a vocal advocate, and has called 
on the Government to change the Food Standards Code to open up the 
industrial hemp market.

Well, it's time stop the talk and dig in for action.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom