Policy

As an emerging and very heavily regulated industry, it is essential that the Voice of Irish hemp stakeholders should inform government policy in respect of the development of Ireland’s long established agricultural hemp sector.

It is therefore necessary that the industry is enabled to professionally represent its own interests in the policy discussion and is equipped to articulate its policy positions in ways that influence decision making processes. Since 2018, HFI has held a space for the Irish hemp industry ensuring that the presence of an indigenous, expert, and articulate Irish hemp industry is an active force in the policy frame. For example, in 2018 HFI’s Hemp Report proposed a fully integrated development of the Irish Hemp Industry in line with IPPC science. This strategy is now the preferred development model of the EU Commission. HFI will continue to be a strong, united, and visible organisation serving and protecting the interests of hemp industry operators in Ireland and in Europe.