Hemp was on the agenda at the October 2 Federal Chamber as member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, discussed the issue.
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Mr Coulton discussed legalising the harvesting of industrial hemp in NSW.
"It is illegal in NSW to grow industrial hemp," he said.
"I honestly think this issue needs another look."
Mr Coulton told the chamber about farmers in his electorate who were investigating the possiblity of growing industrial hemp.
"It uses less water per hectare than cotton and is a great rotation crop."
The stigma of the crop comes from its appearence, according to Mr Coulton.
"The crop probably suffers becasue of its appearance, it looks the same as cannabis but it's not the same quality," he said.
"Hemp is used in many various ways. The seed can produce oils, biodisels, health foods, the stalk can produce durable fabric, the leaves can be used as stock feed.
"Because of the diversity of the product that comes out of it, there is potential employment in regional areas. The value adding that comes through from hemp is quite large."
Mr Coulton said the problem was enough hemp had to be growing in the first place to get the infrastructure for the end product.
"The Macqurie 2100 group, a Landcare Community Organisation are keen to progress the possibility of growing hemp. I understand the difficulty in the past but I don't think that's a good enough reason not to pursue the possiblity," he said.
"It's time we need to help farmers become viable and also look at crops that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. I believe that hemp has the ability to fill that gap."
Mr Coulton will be visiting Narromine next Monday when industrial hemp experts visit the town and farmers to discuss the possibility.
Details of the industrial hemp meetings and industrial hemp itself are in the Macquarie 2100 column on page five.
