❓ Hon. Moermond inquires about integrating industrial hemp cultivation and processing into WA agricultural colleges. The Minister's response indicates current advisory committees haven't considered it and colleges lack processing facilities.
AnsweredQoN 82Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
INDUSTRIAL HEMP —
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES
82. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Education:
I refer to the colleges of
agriculture across the state, including in Denmark, which I recently visited,
and the great work that they do in educating our young people on subjects such
as cropping, livestock, aquaculture, and building and construction.
(1) With the
increasing interest in industrial hemp as a crop both here in Australia and
overseas, would the minister consider integrating the current research from the
hemp variety field trials conducted by AgriFutures Australia and the Department
of Primary Industries and Regional Development and allow industrial hemp to be
grown at an agricultural college in Western Australia?
(2) If so, would
the minister consider also allowing students to process the hemp bast, herd or
seed into viable building or food products as a way of diversifying agricultural
opportunities in Western Australia?
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES
82. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Education:
I refer to the colleges of
agriculture across the state, including in Denmark, which I recently visited,
and the great work that they do in educating our young people on subjects such
as cropping, livestock, aquaculture, and building and construction.
(1) With the
increasing interest in industrial hemp as a crop both here in Australia and
overseas, would the minister consider integrating the current research from the
hemp variety field trials conducted by AgriFutures Australia and the Department
of Primary Industries and Regional Development and allow industrial hemp to be
grown at an agricultural college in Western Australia?
(2) If so, would
the minister consider also allowing students to process the hemp bast, herd or
seed into viable building or food products as a way of diversifying agricultural
opportunities in Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. I, too, have been to the WA College of Agriculture
Denmark campus; its students produce wonderful products.
(1) However, each of the Western Australian colleges of
agriculture has an agricultural advisory committee made up of
agricultural industry representatives. The role of the committees is to provide advice on a range of industry matters,
including what crops to grow. As at 29 February 2024, four of the five Western Australian
colleges of agriculture report that their agricultural advisory committees have not considered introducing the growing of industrial hemp into the farm
program. In 1996–97, the Western Australian
College of Agriculture in Denmark undertook a trial with the Department of A griculture
to grow a single industrial hemp crop. No further crops have been grown.
(2) The vast bulk
of raw produce is sold to the market, as the Western Australian colleges of
agriculture do not have processing capabilities onsite.
some notice of the question. I, too, have been to the WA College of Agriculture
Denmark campus; its students produce wonderful products.
(1) However, each of the Western Australian colleges of
agriculture has an agricultural advisory committee made up of
agricultural industry representatives. The role of the committees is to provide advice on a range of industry matters,
including what crops to grow. As at 29 February 2024, four of the five Western Australian
colleges of agriculture report that their agricultural advisory committees have not considered introducing the growing of industrial hemp into the farm
program. In 1996–97, the Western Australian
College of Agriculture in Denmark undertook a trial with the Department of A griculture
to grow a single industrial hemp crop. No further crops have been grown.
(2) The vast bulk
of raw produce is sold to the market, as the Western Australian colleges of
agriculture do not have processing capabilities onsite.
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