FURTHER HEMP TRIALS APPROVED

Industrial hemp trials in Motueka have been approved for a third season,
but initial enthusiasm over the crop's commercial viability has waned.

Motueka Community Group hemp project spokesman Steve Burnett will be the
sole trial grower this season, once his application for a licence to
cultivate the low-THC variety of cannabis sativa is approved by the
Ministry of Health.

Mr Burnett said approval had been given for another 12 months of trials. A
new crop would be planted in November.

He said much had been learned from last season's crops, which were
harvested in March.

"I'm looking at importing seed to produce plants with a higher seed yield
and greater fibre, but last year's trials proved successful in showing we
can grow hardy, drought-tolerant crops with good volume.

"But the processing infrastructure in Tasman-Nelson could be improved if it
is to be a large-scale commercial success."

Fellow trial grower Jenny Greer agreed that previous trials had gone well
but said she would not be taking part this season.

"We've proved it can be grown well, but larger blocks and a stronger
processing infrastructure would ensure a greater success commercially."

Ms Greer said trials in other parts of the country, such as Hawke's Bay and
Canterbury, had gone well due to greater manufacturing and research support.

"I don't see it as the huge money-spinner for the region it was once
thought of as, unless greater backing is provided in terms of defining its
uses and localising its processing."

However, her faith in hemp as a multi-purpose crop with huge biodiversity
benefits was still strong.

She said the hemp she grew last year proved to be a high-yielding,
low-maintenance organic crop, with good weed-suppressing qualities, and
attracted beneficial insect life.

"The future of hemp seed oil for nutritional value is worth exploring also,
as it contains Omega 3 and 6 oils, and hemp fibre use in the building
industry for insulation and mudbrick construction would also provide a
viable commercial future."

New Zealand Hemp Industry Association chairman Mac MacIntosh said Motueka's
hemp future could be bolstered by its involvement in the EciHemp project,
which provides cottage industry launching pads for market garden-type hemp
blocks.

"There's a lack of a driving force in Tasman for large-scale hemp
production at the moment, but being part of the EciHemp project would
ensure a starting point for a sound hemp future in the region," Mr
MacIntosh said.