-Caveat Lector- Dave Hartley http://www.Asheville-Computer.com/dave -----Original Message----- HEMPTECH: Hemp News Service Digest ======================================== ARTICLE: House Votes to Let Farmers Grow Industrial Hemp AUTHOR: The Boston Globe, MA DATE: Thursday, 6 January 19100, at 11:59 a.m. The bill would let farmers grow hemp after obtaining a permit. The state would issue licenses to grow hemp and be the sole supplier of the seed. The state also would regulate the industry. Pubdate: January 4, 1999 (AP) - New Hampshire farmers should be allowed to grow industrial hemp under the watchful eye of state and federal authorities, the House voted Wednesday. House lawmakers narrowly defeated a move to study the issue tantamount to a polite death, then voted 181-167 to have the Finance Committee review any cost to the state before bringing the bill back for a final vote. Hemp is a close relative of marijuana but has a very low content of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Hemp can be grown only with permission from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. But New Hampshire farmers can't get a federal permit without state agreement. The bill would let farmers grow hemp after obtaining a permit. The state would issue licenses to grow hemp and be the sole supplier of the seed. The state also would regulate the industry. People with criminal records involving drug offenses within 10 years would not qualify for a permit. It was sponsored by Rep. Derek Owen, D-Hopkinton, who lost a claim in federal court to grow hemp in September 1998. Opponents argued the measure would make drug enforcement harder because the hemp plant closely resembles marijuana plants. Rep. Tony Soltani, R-Epsom, also argued parts of the plant contain high concentrations of THC. Why do we need hemp? he asked. "We have rope. We have cotton. We have plenty of it." He also said it sends the wrong message to children about drugs. "A little bit of money is not worth it," he said. But supporters said that while law enforcement officials worry that marijuana farmers could hide their crops with industrial hemp plants to avoid detection, cross-pollination only would diminish the potency of marijuana. Supporters also said hemp was an agricultural crop with little relation to its illegal relative. "Hemp has been grown for over 2,500 years," said Owen. "It's used for many, many things. It isn't about drugs." Hemp is used in a wide range of products, from cars to ropes to hand-lotions. The products are sold legally in New Hampshire. Rep. Amy Robb-Theroux, D-Claremont, said New Hampshire farmers could be making more money growing hemp than corn. She said hemp production is a niche market that could help farmers make a profit. "We have a market for all of our product," she said. Canada started allowing hemp production in 1998. Farmers planted 6,000 acres, claiming profits of as much as $200 an acre at a time when growers struggle just to break even on traditional crops like wheat. ======================================== ARTICLE: Hawaii Experimenting with Hemp as Crop AUTHOR: Bruce Dunford, Associated Press, Wahiawa, Hawaii DATE: Thursday, 6 January 19100, at 12:06 p.m. The DEA, which outlined the security measures needed to plant what federal and state law still defines as illegal marijuana, is no longer blocking the project, said state Rep. Cynthia Thielen, an Oahu Republican, who sponsored the bill creating the university research project. Pubdate: 12/26/1999 State is first to launch test on plant's viability. Surrounded by a 12-foot-high fence and infrared surveillance, a university scientist scattered the first seeds in an experiment that will test the viability of industrial hemp as an agricultural resource for the state. "Pineapple and sugar, the double roof of our economy for generations, have now grown old," House Speaker Calvin Say, an Oahu Democrat, said as a quarter-acre plot in central Oahu was planted. "Perhaps in time, we can lead the way in industrial hemp technology in the same way our technological ability in sugar and pineapple were unsurpassed anywhere on this Earth." Because hemp belongs to the same family as marijuana, it has been illegal to grow in the United States since World War II. While some states have moved to allow hemp growing, Hawaii is among the first to get a test project going. Hemp stalk fibers can be used to make clothing, shoes, building materials, strong cords and ropes, a substitute for fiberglass, paper "and the list goes on," University of Hawaii plant geneticist David West said. Hemp seed oil contains essential fatty acids, protein and other vital elements, and it is a base for skin and hair care products, said Mr. West, who will oversee the research. Hemp production in the United States ended in 1958, and the National Seed Storage Laboratory, charged with preserving important genetic resources, allowed all the seeds to die, Mr. West said. The research project - which received $200,000 from Alterna, a hair-care company that uses hemp seeds in products - will try to develop the most productive hemp plant for Hawaii's climate, he said. The project also involves testing various varieties of hemp for their levels of THC - the hallucinogenic found in marijuana. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy previously held that allowing hemp farming would send the wrong signal to young people and would allow marijuana farmers to hide their crops with industrial hemp plants. The DEA, which outlined the security measures needed to plant what federal and state law still defines as illegal marijuana, is no longer blocking the project, said state Rep. Cynthia Thielen, an Oahu Republican, who sponsored the bill creating the university research project. Shannan Thielen holds a shirt made from hemp. Researchers in Hawaii recently planted hemp seeds to test the product's viability as an agricultural resource. The plant's parts can be used to make everything from clothing to paper to skin- and hair-care products. http://www.dallasnews.com/national/ ©1999 The Dallas Morning News ======================================== ARTICLE: 1999 - Year in Review: Ten Most Influential Agri-Fiber Developments AUTHOR: Peter A. Nelson, Ag Fiber Technology News, Vol. 2, No. 1, Issue 25 DATE: Thursday, 6 January 19100, at 12:16 p.m. Interface is developing many revolutionary processes including the introduction in June of 2000 a line of natural fiber carpet made from industrial hemp and other agri-fibers. Pubdate: 1/6/99 Throughout the course of 1999, the following 10 areas of development appeared to be the most consequential in relation to the emerging agri-fiber industry. Agri-fibers include Abaca, bagasse, corn stover, flax, industrial hemp, kenaf, rice straw, Switchgrass and wheat straw; with potential markets as varied as composites, specialty pulps, plastics and non-wovens. I have summarized the year's significant events, based on their ability to give us a perspective on trends that will likely be relevant in the future, while showing sustained growth and strength in 1999. In all cases, I have tried to portray direct relevance to the agri-fiber industry, while providing both the negatives and the positives as they occurred. All 10 developments are considered equally important, although I personally think that the internet has probably been the most influential and beneficial to the industry. 1. Internet Since the mid-1990s, the internet and its use in marketing and business communication, has grown significantly on an annual basis. In October of 1999, Ag Fiber Technology News reported that a total of 29 percent of U.S. farms had internet access in 1998 versus 13 percent in 1997. In addition, 77 percent of farms with sales of $250,000 or more have access to a computer, with 52 percent having internet access. In the blossoming agri-fiber industry, the internet is quickly becoming the tool of choice to relay data, make sales and communicate project goals. Because the agri-fiber industry is still in its early stages, and spread out around the world, the internet has become the practical, low-cost solution to globally communicate about different materials, their characteristics and inherent logistical considerations. A host of internet services and websites started in 1999, including the Agro-Tech Communications site - agrotechfiber.com. These sites are performing tasks as varied as retail sales, research dissemination and interbusiness networking. 2. Mergers and Acquisitions One of the most important stories of the year for the future of the agri-fiber industry was the continued mergers and acquisitions among major agribusiness corporations. By the end of 1999, CNH had become the new trading symbol for the largest agricultural tractor manufacturer in the world, formed in a merger of Case Corporation and New Holland. CNH will be based in Europe with US headquarters in Wisconsin. Monsanto worked on merging with Delta Pine throughout the year and sold Stoneville Seed to achieve regulatory approval for the merger. Monsanto recently dropped its bid for Delta&Pine, but is also reportedly considering selling off its agribusiness divisions to focus on pharmaceuticals. In Europe, Zeneca and Novartis split off their agribusiness divisions to form a new life sciences company, making it the largest in the world. Watch for continued agribusiness acquisitions and consolidations in 2000, while evaluating agribusiness purchases to ensure quality and sourcing. 3. Biotechnology (GMOs) Biotechnology became a big topic in the United States in 1999, through worldwide activism against genetically engineered crops. Protests were staged around the world, with extensive media coverage of the WTO meeting in Seattle and in Washington at the end of the year. However, polls have continued to show that U.S. consumers are not responding to the anti-biotechnology campaign and are indifferent when making product choices. Legislation to require labeling of genetically engineered foods is currently being considered. Although the technology may require more research, there are extensive benefits that could emerge for the agri-fiber industry. These could include crops with higher cellulose content and other desired characteristics. 4. Aerospace Applications NASA advancements in many technologies have achieved applications in the agri-fiber industry this year. New Holland, in conjunction with NASA, is developing robotic technologies for use in farm applications. Precision farming, the use of GPS/GIS to manage crop production, continues to grow at a rapid pace. In addition, some agri-fiber companies are using precision farming technologies to estimate yields, provide harvesting and handling data and supervise other parts of agri-fiber production. 5. Innovative Environmental Companies Two major U.S. companies, Crane & Co. and Interface Carpet, continued to pave the way in environmental integrity and the utilization of agri-fibers in their products. Crane & Co., Inc. is the oldest paper mill in the United States and has been operating since 1801. In 1999, the company launched the Continuum line of environmental papers that includes paper made from cotton, industrial hemp and kenaf. Crane is the sole manufacturer of U.S. currency paper and is one of the only paper mills to receive ISO1400 certification in 1999. Interface Research Corp. is the largest commercial carpet tile manufacturer in North America. Their CEO, Ray Anderson, is developing a world-renowned reputation for environmental integrity within industry. Interface is developing many revolutionary processes including the introduction in June of 2000 a line of natural fiber carpet made from industrial hemp and other agri-fibers. The leadership of these two companies points to industrial trends of the future, as more companies begin to weigh the environmental benefits of agri-fibers in manufacturing. 6. Bast Fiber Processing & Products In 1999, Geof Kime and his company Hempline Inc. became the first to produce and have commercially available industrial hemp fibers in North America since the 1950s. This development was followed by the introduction of quality textiles made from Hempline's fiber. In addition, the entire bast fiber infrastructure in North America showed growing strength throughout the year with numerous processing facilities coming on line. Durafibre Inc. of Cargill Limited, Fibrex Ltd., Kafus, Kenex Ltd., Kengro Corp. and others are processing flax, kenaf and/or industrial hemp bast fibers. Kafus recently completed construction of a $35 million facility in Indiana to produce automobile components from kenaf fibers. Breakthroughs in enzyme processing, steam explosion and mechanical processing were achieved throughout the year. 7. Cotton Cotton joined the other commodity crops (corn, wheat and soybeans) in suffering from low prices and drought conditions in 1999. The USDA continues to lower crop estimates as the full ramifications of the production year become known. The only positive from the otherwise bleak reality, is that farmers are going to be forced to find innovative and sustainable solutions. In a special feature on cotton in December 1999 issue of Progressive Farmer, farmers were advised to consider better insect management, cover crops, innovations in irrigation and better business management to improve their 2000 crop. In addition, new technologies such as UNR cotton, precision farming and diversified management could provide benefits as farmers look for new ideas. An increase in the production of no-till cotton will probably be seen in 2000 in an effort to build organic matter and preserve moisture. 8. Industrial Hemp Under the leadership of the North American Industrial Hemp Council (NAIHC), industrial hemp has gotten a national spotlight. Featured stories in favor of producing the crop have appeared in national magazines, the New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today. The NAIHC has successfully, helped build coalitions in several states that have led to legislation supporting industrial hemp. On December 14, 1999, these efforts paid off when Hawaii became the first state to plant test plots of the crop and North Dakota passed legislation to produce the crop in the state. 9. Agricultural Biomass The harvesting and handling of agricultural biomass from crops such as switchgrass and agricultural residues from corn, rice and wheat, showed significant progress in 1999. The U.S. Department of Energy released significant funds for research in this arena, while President Clinton signed an executive order on August 12 to promote the growth of the biomass industry. Several initiatives are currently coming together that would utilize switchgrass and other materials FOR bioenergy. Companies operating on the West Coast got added benefits from helping states such as California comply with non-burning regulations. In California, for example, rice straw burning will be completely phased OUT in a couple of years. The California Air Resources Board awarded grants averaging over $500,000 to companies including Arkenol Holdings LLC, Century Board and Louisiana Pacific. 10. AARC, USDA Funding for the Alternative Agriculture Research and Commercialization Corp. (AARC), part of the USDA, was cut in the last quarter of 1999. The AARC has provided financial resources in the form of investments in companies utilizing agricultural fibers such as Kengro Corporation, Primeboard Inc. and Vision Paper. An example of one of the only government programs ever initiated that could offer a return to the taxpayer, funding for AARC was cut based on politics and Washington's usual short term, bandaid solution approach to agriculture policy. The loss of AARC Corporation will directly affect the ability of new companies to develop agri-fiber products and will directly hurt the long-term profitability and competitiveness of our nation's farmers. These 10 areas of development, with some negatives, show tremendous potential for growth in the years to come. Slowly but surely, an infrastructure is being constructed, new technologies are coming on line, and products and energy are being created from agri-fibers. I expect that 2000 will continue to see rapid growth. Invariably, there are some things left off that should be included on this list. Please let me know your comments by email at [EMAIL PROTECTED] To access the complete issue of Ag Fiber Technology News click: http://www.agrotechfiber.com/219000.html Agro-Tech Communications, URL: http://www.agrotechfiber.com, Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED], PH: (901)757-1777 ======================================== This is an automatically-generated notice. If you'd like to be removed from the mailing list, please visit the HEMPTECH: Hemp News Service at <http://elm.he.net/cgi-bin/suid/~manji/hemptech/hempNEWsmaker/home.cgi>, or send your request to [EMAIL PROTECTED] you! 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