European Commission discussed today Hemp in the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy

The Portuguese MEP, Álvaro Amaro, said today at the European Commission that there's “a strong limitation by the government regulations” in Portugal concerning the cultivation of hemp, something that is also happening in other countries in Europe. Amaro spoke this morning at the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, which discussed the situation of hemp in the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union (EU) and the need for harmonization of regulations.

The Altiero Spinneli auditorium, in Brussels, received some representatives of hemp in Europe, as well as the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and several MEPs to present an overview of the situation on hemp in Europe. Divergences and differences of opinion and vision highlighted the need for legal clarification of the European position regarding this crop. 

Hemp industry suffers from “severe bureaucratic constraints”
It was 9 am when the German MEP, Norbert Lins, president of the AGRI Commission, started the meeting, which lasted an hour and a half, with a very specific focus: discussing hemp and the common European agricultural policy. The discussion featured some interventions from industry participants and experts. Afterwards, the members of the European parliament asked some questions, encouraging the commission to intervene to harmonize an industry that suffers from strong limitations, especially bureaucratic ones.

The first guest, Marco Fugazza, Director of Economic Affairs at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), generally discussed hemp as a multipurpose plant, presenting its properties, the hemp market and its potential.

Next, “Low-THC Cannabis Products: An Overview and Regulation” was explored by Michael Pielke, Acting Director of Sustainability at DG AGRI of the European Commission. Brendan Hughes, Principal Scientist and Drug Law Expert at the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), briefed those present on “Hemp Growing and Processing – Potentials and Challenges”.

On the more practical side, as guests representing the hemp industry were Kate Carmody, farmer and vice president of the Hemp Cooperative of Ireland, who explained the history of hemp farming in Ireland, followed by Ardi Oja, co-founder and CEO of Estonian Organic Protein, who spoke about the history of hemp processing in Estonia.

The various interventions by more than 10 members of the European Parliament showed support, in general, for hemp cultivation. One of the main issues addressed was the need for harmonization of European legislation, in order to allow the use of the whole plant, and as a means of reducing bureaucratic obstacles and barriers that industry participants face.

Portuguese MEP from the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Álvaro Amaro, explained that in Portugal there is “a strong limitation by government regulations regarding the cultivation of this plant”. The PSD MEP suggested that the Portuguese government is misguiding the promotion of hemp, joining other members of the European parliament in asking the EC to establish lines and guidelines to ensure that this sector is encouraged and reduces bureaucracy.

To watch the full debate go to this link.