Italy’s Ministry of Agriculture has proposed a special Council to support development of hemp value chains, and to ease the process of getting hemp products to market.
“If we want to market the resulting products from the cultivation of hemp or labeling them as food or give another destination, competent ministries must intervene to say what are the requirements and parameters to do so,” said Agriculture Commission President Filippo Gallinella. “It is absolutely necessary to involve all ministries and various commissions in the Council.”
Clarity on rules needed
Clarity around hemp foods and other products will give entrepreneurs and investors assurance they won’t be blindsided by a lack of rules if they want to start hemp businesses, Gallinella added.
The Council would join the Agriculture Ministry with the Ministries of Health, Economic Development, Interior and Environment, along with trade associations and research sector representatives with the aim of easing the process of getting hemp-based products to market. The initiative was launched during a recent conference by Rome-based Confagricoltura, a confederation of Italian farming enterprises. A wide range of stakeholders attended the conference.
“We have good laws,” said Diana Pallini, a member of the Confagricoltura Council, but clarity is needed in some areas.” She said creating innovative hemp products can help strenthen the “Made in Italy” brand.
From Canapa Industriale
