TY  - RPRT
AU  - Merfield, C.N.
PY  - 1999
CT  - Industrial Hemp and its Potential for New Zealand: A Report for the 1999 Kellogg Rural Leadership Course
T3  - Tertiary Industrial Hemp and its Potential for New Zealand: A Report for the 1999 Kellogg Rural Leadership Course
SP  - 33
Y2  - November
N2  - Executive Summary

Cultivation and use of hemp predates written history.  It was a critical crop for a number of civilisations including Europe.  
Industrial hemp is a herbaceous annual with phenomenal rates of growth. It is relatively easy to grow, though it requires good land, high levels of nutrients and water.  It has few pest or disease problems apart from birds.  Under most conditions it will out-compete and smother weeds.  
It produces a very high quality oil, high quality fibre, and has a considerable number of potential end uses.  
The levels of industrial hemp production and consumption have been continually falling throughout the world over the last two hundred years due to competition from other products and prohibition.  
While Industrial hemp is the same species as marijuana (Cannabis sativa) it has no psychoactive properties and is of no value to the 'drug community'.  It will not exacerbate marijuana use.  On the contrary, it will harm marijuana production by cross fertilisation, destroying seed lines and reducing the psychoactive value of marijuana crops.  
Industrial hemp can only be grown in New Zealand under licence from the Ministry of Health.  There is currently a moratorium on the consideration of licence applications. 
There are a small number of potential outlets for industrial hemp grown in New Zealand.  Organic hempseed is the most clearly identified of these.  The economics of hemp production appear to be moderate. There are a number of technical, and economic problems with quality fibre production.  There is greater potential for lower grade fibres in terms of possible end uses.  
New Zealand along with the USA are one of the few remaining countries that do not allow production of, or are trialing, industrial hemp.  Europe, Canada and Australia are all producing or investigating industrial hemp.  This is putting New Zealand at a social and economic disadvantage.  
There are many overly enthusiastic and unfounded claims for industrial hemp.  Such claims have been reiterated in material promoting industrial hemp produced in New Zealand. 
The potential for industrial hemp to become a weed is unknown.  
Industrial hemp offers the New Zealand agricultural and processing industries a possibly useful new product to trial.  

Recommendations

That the potential for industrial hemp to become a weed is established.  
That the moratorium on the consideration of granting industrial hemp licences should be immediately removed. 
That the Ministry of Agriculture take over from the Ministry of Health as a more appropriate Governmental Department to co-ordinate the re-introduction of industrial hemp.  
That the Industrial Hemp Working Party recommended by Dr Boyd be rapidly formed to establish the systems and licences required for industrial hemp production.  
That a government funded, thorough, economic and agronomic study of industrial hemps potential in New Zealand be completed.  
That trial / research crops in potential industrial hemp growing areas be planted to gain accurate economic and agronomic information.  
That farmers and communities that wish to grow industrial hemp are granted licences.
ID  - 1037
ER  -