Statements
Disappointment Over Hemp
The Industrial Hemp Act received tripartite support in the Tasmanian Parliament, but has unfortunately lost another opportunity to be put into practice.
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand have failed to follow the rest of the developed-world’s lead, delaying approval of hemp as a food product, citing ‘information gaps’.
This rejection was based on perceived information gaps, but this has been the product of a decade’s work. It’s hard to imagine what those gaps would be after all this time.
The government should encourage their Canberra colleagues to approve hemp as a food product without any further delay.
We urge Tasmania’s representative on the committee, Health Minister Ferguson, to reassure FSANZ, and to reaffirm Tasmania’s strong desire to be a leader in industrial hemp.
Andrea Dawkins MP | Greens Primary Industries spokesperson