The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is backing a private members Bill that would remove regulations stopping farmers from growing industrial hemp.
VFF President Emma Germano said the Hemp Industry Bill 2024 introduced into the Victorian Parliament by the Legalise Cannabis Party provided an exciting opportunity for Victorian farmers and industry to unlock the benefits of hemp.
“Victorian farmers want to be able invest in industrial hemp, but the regulatory burden is simply too heavy. We commend the Legalise Cannabis party for their leadership on this opportunity for Victoria.”
“We know hemp holds vast potential for various applications, including sustainable agriculture and construction materials. Removing government barriers, particularly those that are onerous or confusing, will unlock hemp’s full benefits, including the potential for secondary processing and manufacturing.”
“We need government to get out of the way and give farmers the opportunity to harness the full potential of hemp cultivation and create new opportunities for our regional communities.”
The introduction of the Bill follows the 2023 parliamentary inquiry into industrial hemp where the VFF had called for removing unnecessary regulatory barriers.