Nathan Burton

Just having a read of your 2008 program, looked good, lots of excellent info. I have been looking into importing hemp seeds/hemp nuts/hemp hearts for human consumption, and have found that the laws regarding hemp seed for human consumption have not been appealed since 1998, at which point the Food Standards Australia Newzealand (FNANZ), themselves after a extensive review recommended it as a positive change here is the link to that. http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/standardsdevelopment/app...ood/a360finalassessmentr1422.cfm The minister of the day knocked it back on these quoted terms below

Industrial Hemp as a Novel Food

There has been an application for approval of the inclusion of industrial hemp seeds and oil in

food and these are a good source of unsaturated fats. These are a by-product of industrial hemp

which is now being grown experimentally as an alternative source of fibre for paper, fabrics and

other purposes.

Ministers decided to retain the total prohibition on the use of industrial hemp as a novel food.

Ministers believe that the use of hemp in food may send a confused message to consumers about

the acceptability and safety of Cannabis. There are also concerns about law enforcement issues,

particularly from a policing perspective there are difficulties in distinguishing between high THC

Cannabis and low THC hemp products.


a load of rubbish...
... as the government has now changed I feel there is a good chance for that to change. i realize importing hemp nuts from canada is not the best but it would bring a lot of attention to the matter of allowing farmers here to grow the seed for food, also a step in the right direction. I am looking at appealing this and feel that it could be beneficial to include a petition and letters from the supporting public. I feel mardigrass would be a great time to collect signatures, and/or get people to sign prepared letters.

I personally grew 80 acres for seeds for human consumption under a licence in canada, attached is some photos of my crop that I had saved on my email. I could/would be willing to talk to people about my experiences of growing and ease of licensing, availability of it in canada, even safeway sells it...

Look forward to maybe meeting with you all.

peace

Nathan