Industrial Hemp Regulations and Authorities in Victoria
Agriculture Victoria plays a crucial role in overseeing the cultivation of industrial hemp in Victoria, ensuring compliance with legislation and regulations. The process involves applying for authorities, meeting specific criteria, maintaining records, and undergoing sampling by Agriculture Victoria. Similar regulations exist across Australia, with different states having varying licensing fees and requirements.
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OFFICIAL Industrial hemp in Victoria Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action September 2023 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL
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OFFICIAL Agriculture Victoria: Overview Agriculture Victoria also works with industry and research institutions to deliver outcomes for Victorian agriculture. Agriculture Victoria works closelywith the agriculture sector and regional communities. Key areas include: Maintain effective biosecurity Agriculture Victoria has a number of roles relevant to industrial hemp: Support recovery from natural disasters and other challenges Create and enforce legislation and regulation Legislation and regulation Industry development Improve animal welfare Research Deliver education and compliance services Enhance productivity, increase resilience and sustainability Connect with export markets Support growth and create jobs 3 OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL Legislative framework for industrial hemp cultivation Legislation Part IVA of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 - provides for the issuance of authorities for low-THC cannabis Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances (Industrial Hemp) Regulations 2018 - sets fees for authorities and crop inspections Ministerial responsibilities Minister for Agriculture has responsibility for Part IVA of the Act Agriculture Victoria responsibilities Administers the authority framework and related compliance and communications Provides associated policy advice to the Minister 4 OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL Industrial hemp authorities Industrial hemp authority applications Fit and proper person test Confirm proposed activities are for non-therapeutic use (i.e. not for medicinal purposes) Confirm the proposed location is suitable in regard to security Application or renewal fee ($477/ $151) Authority conditions Notification of planting and proposed harvest date Record-keeping requirements seed stocks and supply, annual report Low level security requirements (locked gate and seed storage areas) All crops are sampled by Agriculture Victoria to confirm the crop is industrial hemp (low-THC cannabis) Sampling and laboratory fees apply (average $500 per crop) 5 OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL Legislation is similar across Australia THC threshold Licence term Fit and proper person test State/TerritoryLegislation Licence fee Inspection fee Tasmania Industrial Hemp Act 201 5 1 % 5 years nil nil Yes Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1 981 $55.70 per 1 5 minutes Victoria 1 % 3 years $477 New Application $1 51 .1 0 Renewal Yes Queensland Drugs Misuse Act 1 986 Drugs Misuse Regulations 1 987 1 % 3 years $1 ,383.25 Grower licence $1 ,1 23.55 Renewal $322.05 per hour Yes Hemp Fibre Industry Facilitation Act 2004 ACT 1 % 3 years nil Yes Western Australia Industrial Hemp Act 2004 1 % 3 years $328 New application $1 31 Renewal $1 71 .45 per hour Yes New South Wales Hemp Industry Act 2008 1 % 5 years $572 new application $41 8 renewal $200 annual licence fee nil Yes South Australia Industrial Hemp Act 201 7 1 % 5 years $1 227 New application $740 Renewal $260 Probity check per person $1 65 per hour Yes Reasonable costs may be recovered Northern Territory Hemp Industry Act 201 9 1 % 5 years $1 ,31 1 Commercial licence Yes 6 OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL Victorian industrial hemp industry 42 authorities in Victoria Area planted with hemp across Australia 2000 6 growers in 2022-23 season 169 ha 1800 Shift from seed varieties to fibre varieties 1600 1400 Area planted with hemp (ha) Hemp seed approved for food in 2017 1200 1000 800 600 600 400 243 240 170 169 200 105 0 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 New South Wales Tasmania Victoria Queensland South Australia Western Australia 7 OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL Research Industrial hemp variety trials (2021-2024) at Hamilton Smart Farm Researching seed varieties, and some fibre and dual crop varieties Publish reports and host field days Best performing varieties achieved grain yields of around 2.5 t/ha in both years Maximum biomass at final harvest was 10.4 t/ha Research includes optimum time of sowing, water and fertiliser requirements, and weed control 8 OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL Industrial Hemp Taskforce Established by the Minister for Agriculture 2019 Agriculture Victoria provided Secretariat function Taskforce terms of reference included examining information on industry issues, barriers and opportunities, and learnings from other jurisdictions Interim findings released in 2020, which outlined a number of challenges and opportunities, including harmonisation of regulation with other states (now resolved through legislative amendment) Industry and government continue to build on the findings of the taskforce to grow the industrial hemp industry in Victoria, such as through the Industrial Hemp Variety Trials 9 OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL Contacts Matt Lowe, Deputy Secretary Agriculture Victoria matt.lowe@agriculture.vic.gov.au Sarah-Jane McCormack, Executive Director Agriculture Policy and Programs sarah-jane.mccormack@agriculture.vic.gov.au Trevor Pisciotta, Executive Director Animal Welfare Victoria and Agriculture Regulatory Policy trevor.pisciotta@agriculture.vic.gov.au 10 10 OFFICIAL
