The IFP’s campaign for the commercialisation of hemp farming in the country is starting to bear fruit as captured in the response to my parliamentary question to Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) Minister, Senzeni Zokwana on whether he has engaged other Ministers on the viability of decriminalising and commercialising the growth and cultivation of hemp farming in the country.
The DAFF Minister’s commitment to consider the necessary legislative amendments to allow for the commercialisation of hemp in South Africa and encouraging other departments to follow suit is laudable.
Further to this, the Minister also alluded to the progress made by the DAFF and the Department of Health in developing guidelines for regulating the cultivation and manufacturing of hemp and hemp products.
We await the outcome of the inter-departmental team that is developing a new regulatory framework and I will further request clarity on the technical matters regarding production of hemp, research and technology development, commercial feasibility and other related matters as highlighted by the Minister in his response.
The IFP believes that the socio-economic benefits of the commercialisation of hemp farming in the country have vast economic and employment potential, and must therefore be unpacked, studied and piloted by the relevant Departments and phased into our economy as soon as possible.
Response to Hemp Question DAFF to N Singh
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Narend Singh MP
IFP Chief Whip in Parliament
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