MANITOBA RELEASES NATIONAL HEMP STRATEGY

The Province of Manitoba has released a national hemp strategy that
will seek to identify new opportunities for farmers, processors,
researchers and exporters.

"Manitoba's farmers and processors are at the leading edge of hemp
production," Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann
Wowchuk (said) recently.

Hemp can be used in a wide range of consumer and industrial
applications.

The National Industrial Hemp Strategy identifies the opportunities and
challenges in three categories:

. Health and food;

. Fibre and industrial oil, and;

. Production and breeding.

The strategy was introduced at the CHTA's annual meeting in Winnipeg
last Wednesday.

These recommendations were developed through extensive consultations
with stakeholders including farmers, processors, marketers and
researchers across Canada.

The strategy is a joint initiative supported by the federal and
provincial governments, the CHTA and the Composites Innovation Centre.

Funding for the initiative was provided by Manitoba Agriculture, Food
and Rural Initiatives and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the
Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative.

The market for hemp products is strong and growing in Canada and
internationally. Canadian hemp seed exports increased 300 per cent
from 2006 to 2007.

Hemp oil exports increased 85 per cent and fibre exports increased 65
per cent.