Industrial Hemp Announcement Good For New Zealand

27 April 2001

"The Minister of Health's announcement today to allow controlled trials of industrial hemp is good news for New Zealand" Federated Farmers Grains Chairman, Neil Barton," said today.

"It opens up diversification opportunities for farmers at a time when there is a need to encourage as many crop options as possible.

"It also offers opportunities for savings of imported hemp products used in cosmetics, oils, insulation and textiles.

"The Grains Council of Federated Farmers has been actively supporting the introduction of industrial hemp for years," said Mr Barton.

"We have been lobbying for this cause for years and we are pleased it has finally come to fruition," said Mr Barton. "We have lost ground in this area against other countries such as Australia. Now we can get on with the job of identifying the industrial hemp varieties that perform best under New Zealand conditions and start catching up."

ENDS

For further information: Neil Barton 03 688 8238, 021 441 125 Kevin Geddes 03 307 8145, 025 203 3437

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