Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Industrial Hemp Licensing

Monday 3 July 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The hon. Gentleman Ronnie Cowan met with the Minister and industry representatives on 17 May to discuss hemp licensing.
  • The hon. Gentleman asked if the licensing process could be transferred to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to make it more farmer-friendly.
  • The Minister responded that a light-touch regulatory framework is important for UK industry to compete globally, while noting the need for regulation due to THC content in hemp.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ronnie Cowan SNP
Business & Trade
Context

A meeting was held on May 17 between the Department and industry representatives to discuss industrial hemp licensing. The number of licences has increased from six in 2013 to 134.

Question

Whether her Department has had recent discussions with the industrial hemp industry on licensing.

Answer from Chris Philp

The hon. Gentleman will recall that the two of us met just a few weeks ago, on 17 May, together with industry representatives, to discuss hemp licensing. I thank him for taking the time and trouble to organise that meeting. As he knows, there is a light-touch process for licensing industrial hemp. Since 2013, the number of hemp licences has increased from six to 134.

Answered
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Q2 Ronnie Cowan SNP
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The growth of industries using industrial hemp is hindered by complicated regulations and a poor application process, leading to foreign companies taking the lead in this area.

Question

To protect UK farmers and encourage UK industry, will the Minister consider giving the licensing process over to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and making the process farmer friendly?

Answer from Chris Philp

It is, of course, important to make sure that UK industry can compete globally, and a light-touch regulatory framework is important in that. We should be aware that some parts of the plant contain high levels of THC—tetrahydrocannabinol—and do need regulation, which is the Home Office's concern. I will be meeting DEFRA colleagues in the near future to make sure that our approach to regulation is as light-touch as possible, because, like him, I want to see our domestic industry flourish and I do not want any excessive regulation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to transferring licensing process to DEFRA but acknowledged the need for a light-touch regulatory approach.

How: Will Be Meeting Defra Colleagues

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