By KATE PRESTT
Source: theadvocate.com.au
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis said the growers had expected the Council of Australian Governments to give its approval after Food Standards Australia and New Zealand had approved the use of low tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, hemp seeds.
``COAG instead has just referred the matter to the Standing Council on Police and Emergency Services, composed of all police ministers and a local government representative, '' Ms Davis said.
She said it seemed odd it should do this when FSANZ had already actively sought input from police in each state.
``There had been ample opportunity for police to object to hemp food and provide a basis for any objection, '' she said.
The TFGA's Phil Reader, who is also president of the Industrial Hemp Association of Tasmania, said the news was a great disappointment.
``We will not give up. We remain confident we will get this industry going, '' he said.
About 60 hectares of industrial hemp is under cultivation in Tasmania, mainly in the North and North-West, with the seed processed in Victoria for use in cosmetics.Hemp is cultivated in Australia and New Zealand under strict licensing arrangements to make fibre, textiles, paper and building materials. New Zealand already permits hemp seed oil to be sold as a food.
The TFGA considers hemp grown for food as a real diversification option for Tasmanian farmers.
There have been massive efforts to make hemp legal down under too, but the gov there is a bit like the US - both countries need new laws. In Oz Paul Benhaim is working and there is a company called EcoFibres - and of course Margaret River Hemp where you can buy hemp supplies.
ReplyDeleteHere in the US there are lots more shops but no harvesting - we hope to change that with the petition under way at www.minawear.com/about-us/
Also see news and events at www.hempforvictory.blogspot.com
Didn't Paul write a chapter in Hemp For Victory: History & Qualities of the World's Most Useful Plant - along with Mina Hegaard? If I recall he wrote on food and something else.
ReplyDeleteGreat book!