The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, has called on the Federal Government to catch up with the rest of the world and allow the production of industrial hemp for human consumption in Australia.

Joining Mr Wilkie to support his call was the Independent Member for Indi, Cathy McGowan, Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association’s Peter Skillern and Industrial Hemp Association of Tasmania’s Phil Reader.

Industrial hemp – the non-drug, low-THC version of cannabis – is an economically viable and environmentally responsible product that is also highly nutritious, yet is not able to be sold for human consumption in Australia.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recommended the approval of industrial hemp for human consumption in 2012 but Australia and New Zealand are the only two countries in the western world still restricting the market.

This has frustrated farmers who are keen to enter the growing market now worth many millions of dollars in countries including Britain, Canada and the US.

Mr Wilkie has today given formal notice of a Motion in Federal Parliament, seconded by Ms McGowan, calling on the Federal Government to change the Food Standards Code to open up the lucrative market.

“It is a political decision not to have approved it by now,” Mr Wilkie said. “There’s not a single good reason for holding off approving it for human consumption. It’s a healthy oil, it’s a safe plant to grow and it will be very, very lucrative for farmers, particularly in my home state of Tasmania.

“The only thing missing at the moment is the political will to explain to the community that it is safe and lucrative and healthy. Remember, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand has recommended it be allowed to be farmed in Australia for human consumption.

“Nowhere is this absence of political leadership more profound than here in Tasmania where the production of industrial hemp for human consumption would give the economy a dramatic boost. Even in the cooler south of the State the short-fibre varieties of industrial hemp could be grown to everyone’s great advantage.”

Notice of Motion

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NOTICE OF MOTION

MEMBER FOR DENISON: I give notice that on the next day of sitting I shall move—That this House:
1. acknowledges that industrial hemp – the non-drug, low-THC version of cannabis – is an economically viable and environmentally responsible product that is also highly nutritious, yet is not able to be sold for human consumption in Australia;

2. takes note that Australia and New Zealand are the only two countries in the western world still preventing the sale of hemp products for human consumption (with the exception of hemp seed oil only in New Zealand); and

3. calls on the Federal Government, through the Executive Council, to champion changes to the Food Standards Code administered by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to allow the sale of hemp for human consumption in Australia, especially given that FSANZ has already recommended the approval of hemp for human consumption in October 2012.
Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent Member for Denison