NSW HEMP GROWING TRIALS A DISAPPOINTMENT

Attempts to grow industrial hemp on a number of farms in New South Wales
have been officially described as disappointing.

Trials by the NSW Department of Agriculture on a number of properties
around the state showed that yields from the low THC hemp were not
economically viable.

Fibres program manager with the Department Dr Richard Spurway says NSW
yields were less than half of what's required for commercial fibre
production.

RICHARD SPURWAY: My guess at the moment is that unless we can get better
yields than we've been able to get in the trial so far then it won't be
economically viable. The best yields we've been able to get are less than
five tonnes where those in Tasmania have been ten to fifteen tonnes, and
that's about the standard yield in Europe as well.