Industrial hemp is one of the most diverse agricultural products on the market, with uses in food, clothing and construction materials. Its potential has been the focus of a New South Wales government-initiated hemp industry roundtable, a hemp industry task force, and a hemp industry development plan.
But according to the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), there is only a little more than 1,000 hectares of industrial hemp in crop production across Australia.
Member of the Legalise Cannabis Party, Jeremy Buckingham, said reducing regulation would open up overseas opportunities. The crop can only be grown under licence in NSW.
"There's a lot of demand for hemp coming from China, as the Chinese move to grow more food and grow less fibre," he said. Mr Buckingham said industrial hemp, which must have a low THC content and no measurable psychoactive effect, was mainly used in Australia to diversify crop rotations and produce hemp seed.
Read more at ABC News Australia
