The Hodgman Liberal Government’s push to accelerate work on the lifting of the prohibition of hemp food products has been agreed to by a forum of Australian and New Zealand health ministers.
The Tasmanian Liberals have been long-time advocates for the use of low-THC hemp in food, which would present a huge opportunity for our farmers.
Minister for Health Michael Ferguson today secured agreement at the Australian and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation for work on the issue to be accelerated.
“Since the Liberal Government was elected Tasmania has been one of the strongest advocates for this prohibition to be lifted,” Mr Ferguson said.
“While a vote was disappointingly defeated earlier this year, we fought hard for the issue to remain on the forum agenda. As a result the meeting today was provided with an update on work addressing information gaps in relation to low THC-hemp for use in food.”
“The forum today agreed with our push for the completion of this work to be brought forward to the first quarter of next year so we can consider lifting the prohibition much sooner than July 2016, as was previously proposed.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water Jeremy Rockliff said that lifting the current prohibition would be a sensible reduction of unnecessary red tape.
“Allowing the use of low-THC hemp in food products has huge potential to open new markets for our agriculture industry, strengthening the economy and creating jobs,” he said.
"The Liberal Government is committed to the industry and has taken action to implement significant reforms that will make it easier for our farmers to grow industrial hemp, including the introduction of special purpose legislation for the cultivation and supply of industrial hemp for commercial production and the extension of licencing from one to five years.
"This has ensured that as soon as the prohibition on hemp foods in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code is lifted Tasmanian farmers are well placed to capitalise on new markets."