❓ Dr. Walker questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding potential legislative easing for industrial hemp growers, similar to proposed changes for the mining industry, highlighting the environmental benefits of hemp cultivation compared to mining.
AnsweredQoN 709Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
INDUSTRIAL HEMP
709. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I refer the minister to the
commitment made by her colleague the Minister for Environment to bring forward legislation during this Parliament that would
simplify mining approvals and ease Environmental Protection Authority restrictions to assist industry but to the possible detriment of the
environment.
(1) Will the Cook
government make the same promise to our industrial hemp growers and consider
easing the legislative burden they face?
(2) Given that
all available research suggests that an expansion of that industry would help
rather than hinder our environment, why should miners benefit from digging up
our valuable resources, while farmers suffer for improving our soil and
waterways?
709. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I refer the minister to the
commitment made by her colleague the Minister for Environment to bring forward legislation during this Parliament that would
simplify mining approvals and ease Environmental Protection Authority restrictions to assist industry but to the possible detriment of the
environment.
(1) Will the Cook
government make the same promise to our industrial hemp growers and consider
easing the legislative burden they face?
(2) Given that
all available research suggests that an expansion of that industry would help
rather than hinder our environment, why should miners benefit from digging up
our valuable resources, while farmers suffer for improving our soil and
waterways?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The
Industrial Hemp Act 2004 regulates the cultivation, harvesting and processing
of industrial hemp. It is considered to impose minimal regulatory burden and
provides growers with a defence to charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981.
(2) Western Australian
regulatory costs to hemp licensees are among the lowest costs in Australia.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The
Industrial Hemp Act 2004 regulates the cultivation, harvesting and processing
of industrial hemp. It is considered to impose minimal regulatory burden and
provides growers with a defence to charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981.
(2) Western Australian
regulatory costs to hemp licensees are among the lowest costs in Australia.
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