Pubdate: Tue, 19 Jul 2005
Source: Cyprus Mail, The (Cyprus)
Copyright: Cyprus Mail 2005
Contact:  http://www.cyprus-mail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/100
Author: Stefanos Evripidou
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

OFFICIALS DISMISS PROSPECTS FOR HEMP CROP

THE CULTIVATION of hemp is just not viable in Cyprus, despite the 
availability of European Union (EU) subsidies for hemp production, 
said the acting head of the Agriculture Department, Takis Antoniou, yesterday.

Within the EU, farmers can obtain a subsidy for the cultivation of 
hemp and flax (used to make linen). The motive behind the subsidy was 
to enable farmers a decent income from flax or hemp and to compete 
with world market prices.

France, Spain, the UK, the Netherlands and Germany all cultivate hemp 
to sell as a natural fibre source.

The EU regulations refer to the cultivation of industrial hemp, 
cannabis sativa l., which contains less than one per cent of 
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive component. Marijuana 
contains THC levels that typically range from 3 to 15 per cent. Hemp 
can be used to produce a number of products, including rope, paper 
and textiles, while its seeds are used to make animal feed.

Some experts argue that individual marijuana and industrial hemp 
plants look nearly identical and require chemical analysis to 
distinguish the two, lending the crop to improper use.

Antoniou told the Cyprus Mail that Cyprus did not receive a quota 
from the EU to grow hemp because the issue was bypassed during 
accession negotiations, given the fact that nobody grew the stuff.

"We have no infrastructure to produce the fibre from hemp. If we get 
it then we will ask the EU to give us a quota to produce hemp and 
apply for subsidies.

"Since we didn't cultivate flax or hemp, what was the point of 
implementing legislation, seeking a quota to produce so much flax and 
hemp, and agree on a subsidy," he said.

"Only so much hemp is allowed to be cultivated in the EU. We are 
talking about the sativa hemp, which is completely different to the 
stuff that people smoke. They are two completely different species, 
like apples and pears."

Asked if farmers had the opportunity to grow hemp in Cyprus, he 
replied that if the desire was there, then the government would set 
up the relevant infrastructure, including an inspection service 
within his department, and seek the necessary approvals from the EU.

"Hemp is not viable in Cyprus, it needs water and is mostly grown in 
northern climates where it rains a lot. Here, water is more precious, 
and the climate is better suited to growing vegetables. Also, to get 
a hemp quota, you must have a processing factory first, which we 
don't have," he explained.
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MAP posted-by: Beth