The Liberal Government has a long-term Plan to grow the value of our agricultural produce tenfold by 2050 to strengthen the economy and create jobs in Tasmania.
The industrial hemp industry has great potential for growth and job creation and that's why we are committed to cutting red tape and simplifying the regulation of the industry.
Today, I am pleased to announce we are making significant reforms to make things easier for farmers, including:
The new legislation will streamline the licencing under the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment rather than the current system under the Poisons Act and Department of Health and Human Services.
AgriGrowth Tasmania will work with the DHHS, Tasmania Police, stakeholders and the industry on developing appropriate Legislation, with a Bill expected to be introduced late this year.
These reforms are in line with recommendations by the 2012-13 House of Assembly Inquiry into the Tasmanian Industrial Hemp Industry, in which I was pleased to advocate for this sector.
Industrial hemp refers to varieties of Cannabis that contain very low levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and at the allowable threshold there is no psychoactive (drug) inducing effects.
The Liberal Government supports sensible, practical regulation without compromising drug law enforcement, to allow this broad acre industry, which has existed in Tasmania since 1991, to achieve its full potential.
We also continue to strongly support and lobby for Federal approval for the use of industrial hemp products in food, which has huge potential to open new markets for the industry.
We will continue to work closely with the Industrial Hemp Association of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association to promote expansion of the industry.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Primary Industries and Water