THE Tasmanian Government has moved to cut red tape around the state's industrial hemp industry.
Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said special purpose legislation would be introduced to free up the cultivation and supply of industrial hemp.
Responsibility for licensing would be moved to the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, rather than the Department of Health and Human Services.
"We are making significant reforms, to make things easier for farmers, including
extending licensing from one year to five years, to give farmers more and increasing the allowable THC threshold from 0.35 to 1.0pc," Mr Rockliff said.
This would bring the state in line with New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT, allowing for the easier trade of material.
Legislation was expected to be introduced to Parliament, later this year.
Mr Rockliff said he would continue to strongly support and lobby for Federal approval for the use of industrial hemp products in food, which had huge potential to open new markets for the industry.
New Zealand permits hemp seed oil to be sold as a food, but Australia does not.
It still has to be approved by all states and the national government under COAG arrangements, despite the fact Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has twice recommended restrictions be lifted.
A decision on this matter is now due to be made at the Australia/ New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation, in Auckland, tomorrow.
The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) applauded what they said was the government's positive approach to the hemp industry.
President Wayne Johnston said that farmers had been trying to grow industrial hemp as fibre for years, but had struggled with the regulatory hurdles, many of which were unique to Tasmania.
"It is pleasing to see the government move forward on the recommendations of the industry inquiry that was tabled in parliament in 2013," Mr Johnston said.
"This will finally allow a potentially profitable and competitive young industry the scope to grow within the State,'' Mr Johnston said.
The move to introduce five-year licenses (currently 1 year) would help the industry to commercially expand.
There were currently 11 licenses covering an area of 116 ha. in Tasmania.
"Our hemp farmers are now gaining a sound reputation as suppliers of consistently high quality hemp fibre," Mr Johnston said.
"We could sell as much hemp as we could grow - this move will give growers more certainty and encourage them to make further investment in the sector."
