Source: Examiner, The (Australia)
Contact:  (03) 6334 7328
Mail: PO Box 99A, Launceston, Tas 7250
Pubdate: Thu, 10 Dec 1998
Author: Fran Voss

POPPY CROP SET FOR TOP HARVEST

Tasmania is set for a record poppy crop following an ideal growing season
and expanded plantings. 

Forthside farmer Warren Parker, who has 22ha under poppies, says his
poppies "are as good as I've ever seen them'' and poppies have been grown
on the farm for 25 years. 

President of the Tasmanian Poppy Growers Association, Wayne Smith, said
yesterday farmers were being attracted to the industry by lucrative returns. 

A total of 15,000ha has been planted to poppies this season, an increase of
2000ha. Between 140 and 150 new farmers have entered the industry, bringing
the total to around 1000. 

``Farmers are now giving poppies priority over other crops because the
returns we've been getting are excellent -- up to $6000 a hectare,'' Mr
Smith said. 

Tasmania produces around 100 tonnes a year of concentrated poppy straw used
in the production of codeine. The crop was worth $175 million to the
State's economy last year. 

Further efficiencies in the industry will be created by the relocation of
the Poppy Control Board from Hobart to Ulverstone, where it will be more
centrally located to the major poppy- growing regions. 

Mr Smith said the ideal dry planting season in August-September had been
followed by good spring rains. 

"The crop is looking excellent and if this dry weather continues through to
the end of February, it will be a very good season, perhaps a record
season,'' Mr Smith said. 

Harvesting will begin in early January. 

Mr Parker said continued warm dry weather could see a higher than average
alkaloid content in the poppies at Forthside. 

World demand continues to increase and a Department of Primary Industry
study recently found Tasmania has the potential to grow another 65,000 ha.
Tasmania produces around half the world's requirements. 

Mr Smith said growers were concerned about reports of poppy trials being
conducted in the Ord River district of Western Australia by processor Glaxo. 

``They've only had one season so far so it's too early to tell how it will
go. But as far as we're concerned the industry should stay in Tasmania,''
he said.
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Checked-by: Richard Lake