By CAITLIN JARVIS
Source: theadvocate.com.au
FARMERS will have easier access to producing industrial hemp after the state government announced new deregulation measures to aid in growing the industry in the state.
HAPPY OCCASION: Primary Industries and Water Minister Jeremy Rockliff is all smiles after his announcement of changes to industrial hemp regulations. Picture: Jason Hollister.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Primary Industries and Water Jeremy Rockliff announced the measures yesterday, while attending the Kindred farm of Richard Sampson, who has been growing industrial hemp for three seasons.
Industrial hemp is used in textiles, pet food, hand cream and other cosmetics and is a different variety of the crop that is used for medicinal purpose and the illicit substance cannabis.
The measures introduced for the hemp industry include:
■ Introducing special purpose legislation for the cultivation and supply of industrial hemp for commercial production and other legitimate uses;
■ Immediately extending licencing from one year to five years to give farmers more certainty and allow them to get on with the job of growing the crop, and
■ Increasing the allowable THC theshold from 0.35 per cent to 1 per cent to bring the state in line with New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT and allow for easier trade of material.
Mr Rockliff said the new measures would "unlock the potential" of the versatile plant and said it would help to reduce regulation for farmers wishing to grow the product.The new measures introduced by the state government are in response to a parliamentary inquiry into commercial industrial hemp, which was conducted in 2012.
"I would really encourage other farmers to put industrial hemp in the mix and urge them to seriously think about it as a crop option," Mr Rockliff said.
Industrial hemp has been grown in the state commercially since 1991 but Mr Rockliff said since that time the crop had "never really realised its potential" and said it was great value-add crop for farmers looking to add to their rotation.
Other forms of industrial hemp can be used in food products for human consumption, however, it is banned under the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand act (FSANZ).
A decision on whether the ban on industrial hemp being used for human consumption is likely to be made today, but has to be legislated by the federal government.
Yesterday, Mr Rockliff committed to lobbying to have that ban lifted, because he said it would help to diversify the product further and value-add, which would hopefully entice more farmers to use it on their farms.
Industrial hemp has lower THC, which is the active ingredient that makes people high, than its more common counterpart, cannabis, that is an illicit substance.
Street-grade cannabis has THC levels around the eight to 12 per cent mark, industrial hemp only has 0.35 per cent.
Under the new regulations, industrial hemp will be allowed to have a 1 per cent THC level.
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