Renewed call for industrial hemp

By Phil Boeyen, ShareChat Business News Editor

Monday 19th March 2001

There's increased pressure on the Government to allow New Zealand farmers to grow industrial hemp following a positive decision across the Tasman.

The Green Party says the Government here should act swiftly to allow New Zealand farmers to grow the hemp after New South Wales Agriculture gave its approval.

Greens Party co-leader Rod Donald says a decision should be made in time for the next growing season.

"Now the Australians are talking about amending their drugs act to make it easier to grow hemp while New Zealand farmers still don't have permission to even trial the crop.

"It's frustrating to see the Aussies beating us yet again, especially when we know our government has a committee looking into hemp trials in New Zealand."

Industrial hemp is used in paper, cloth and fibreboard manufacture while its seeds are pressed for oil which is used as a health food and in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Mr Donald says he visited the hemp industry in France last year, where there were few concerns about growing the crop.

"Over there it's a non issue yet in New Zealand irrational fears about hemp being a cover for cannabis seem to paralyse decision makers."

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