EURO SUBSIDY FOR GROWING CANNABIS ON FARMLAND

Lucrative European Union subsidies are being offered to farmers to
give their land over to the growing of marijuana.

In a joint effort with Brussels and the Home Office, hemp is to be
grown in British fields.

The mood-enhancing properties of the weed will not be felt, however,
as the hemp is to be harvested to be used in products from animal
bedding to cosmetics.

But would-be smokers scouring the countryside for free drugs will be
disappointed.

No only will the fields be under tight security, in secret locations
away from the roads, the variety of cannabis grown will be of a very
low narcotic potency.

Harvest.

But in spite of the angry demonstrations by Dorset farmers over the
collapse of their industry, would our local farmers leap at the chance
to grow a controlled drug rather than use the land to feed their livestock?

Simpson said: "It's probably not worth it."

"From what I understand these plants grow enormously tall and are a
heck of a job to mow and harvest. They produce very long, strong
fibre which can be used for rope, but with nylon about there isn't
much call for hemp."

Purbeck farmer Sax Purdie has been growing the crop for two years
since getting out of farming in the BSE crisis: "Then I tried growing
flax and gave up on that as there isn't really any call for it."

Subsidies.

"With hemp the whole plant gets sold and used. It can be used for
paper and it is a stronger, lighter and healthier alternative to glass
fibre."