TFGA regrets hemp knock-back

The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) says it regrets the decision by the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation not to take at least the first step towards the use of low-THC hemp in food in Australia.

“We could at least have been placed on the same footing as New Zealand, which permitted the use of hemp for oil as a starting point,” TFGA president Wayne Johnston said today.

The forum vetoed the proposal on the grounds that concerns regarding law enforcement, roadside drug testing and marketing concerns had to be resolved first.

Hemp seeds and oil are used in health bars, salad oils, non-soy tofu, non-dairy cheeses and as an additive to baked goods as well as being used as the whole seed, raw or roasted.

New Zealand permits hemp seed oil to be sold as a food, but Australia still does not, yet both countries take their guidance from the same organisation, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), which in turn is guided by the ministerial forum.

“This is a setback in terms of potential market and growth of the hemp industry,” Mr Johnston said.

“The TFGA will work with the state government to continue to lobby for a change under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

“An approval by the forum today should have been the icing on the cake after yesterday’s moves by the Tasmanian Government to remove some of the red tape that has been inhibiting the industry to move beyond the growing of hemp here just for fibre,” Mr Johnston said.
TFGA president Wayne Johnston