Hemp goes commercial

[grace]

Hemp goes commercial

BY EMILY BRAHAM

9/12/2008

The Irrigator

http://leeton.yourguide.com.au/news/local/...al/1380791.aspx

 

AGRICULTURE in the region could be diversified with new legislation permitting the growth of industrial hemp.

People can now apply for a NSW Department of Primary Industries licence to grow hemp on a commercial scale.

 

Innovative Whitton farmers Tim and Roger Commins have trialled the fibrous crop and are investigating going commercial.

 

Tim Commins said the trial was a success and may lead to greater investment in the young industry.

 

“We are looking at it,” he said.

 

“We are doing another trial area, we are redoing what we did last year. We are not applying yet though, we still have to work out the harvesting. But it is certainly a welcome relief.

 

“We have to develop the market for the end use, which is where we are at, at the moment.”

 

Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said commercial hemp offers many possibilities.

 

“We have received strong feedback from the agricultural sector for the development of this new industry, with more than 200 people expressing interest in producing industrial hemp crops under licence,” he said.

 

“Industrial hemp has the potential to provide farmers with a much-needed additional fast-growing summer crop option that can be used in rotation with winter grain crops.

 

“It’s a potentially lucrative industry due to the environmentally-friendly nature of industrial hemp and there is strong interest for hemp products in the market.”

 

Industrial hemp fibre can be used as a base for skin care products, paints, paper products and textiles, in building, insulation and as an alternative to fibreglass.

 

Mr Macdonald said the licensing scheme aims to prevent industrial hemp being used as a camouflage for the illicit high-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis, or marijuana.

 

Hemp is a cannabis plant species with low THC compared to other forms of cannabis plants and cannot be used as a drug.

 

Mr Macdonald said properties growing industrial hemp would be audited and inspected regularly.

 

For more information or for an application form visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au or contact the NSW DPI office.

 

 

Hemp Licence Information - Department of Primary Industries

 

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/fiel...cial-production

 

Licence Application Form

 

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/wo...cation-form.doc

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Cheers for the links Grace