TFGA says Tasmania’s poppy-growing reputation paramount

Tasmania’s international reputation for growing half the world’s opiate poppy production in a secure environment and to the highest quality has to be the paramount consideration in a new national regime for the crop, the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) said today.

The TFGA was commenting on the federal decision to open up poppy cultivation in other states subject to agreement between the states and the Commonwealth over a five-year controlled implementation program.

“Obviously, our preferred position would be that production of poppies remains quarantined in Tasmania. However, we do understand the processors’ requirement for additional crops elsewhere should we suffer incidental climate or other problems here,” TFGA chief executive Jan Davis said today.

“We accepted that as the justification for trials in Victoria. However, Australia cannot afford to throw the baby out with the bath water. Over 40 years, Tasmanian farmers have established the best reputation in the world for growing poppies safely, securely and to specification. It is a $100 million a year industry for us.

“We need to be sure that the regulations governing any interstate production do not compromise our hard-won reputation. Furthermore, we want assurances that any national regulatory regime does not disadvantage Tasmanian poppy growers,” Ms Davis said.

“We will continue to work with both the state and federal governments to maintain and grow the Tasmanian poppy industry.”
TFGA chief executive Jan Davis