OUR VISION:

Seeding the future of British Hemp

CREATING A THRIVING DOMESTIC HEMP INDUSTRY

May Hemp Huddle

Thursday 20th May, 5:30-6:30pm BST (Zoom)

The construction industry is responsible for around 60% of the UK’s total carbon emissions, both through energy used in the construction phase and by the occupants of the building (“energy in use”).

With the Government now committed to reducing their carbon emissions, over the last few years there has been a ‘commitment’ by the UK government, the construction industry and its regulatory framework, for all new homes to be “zero-carbon” by 2016.

Join us on Thursday 20th May with Special Guest Tom Wooley, a long time advocate of Hempcrete and building, to learn more about this growing industry, the challenges it faces and how to get involved.

Our Mission

The UK has a unique opportunity to establish a leading position within one of the most important and rapidly growing agricultural and industrial markets that has emerged for decades.

The British Hemp Alliance (BHA), was formed in 2019 to lobby for change and remove the barriers to growth that are preventing the UK hemp industry from thriving. It is comprised of NGO’s, farmers, businesses, environmental organisations and individuals who want to support progressive changes in hemp legislation.

We believe 3 things have to happen, in order for the UK hemp industry to fulfil its potential and hemp be recognised as an essential agricultural and environmentally friendly crop:

ALL UK HEMP LICENCES TO BE ADMINISTERED BY DEFRA

At present the hemp license still remains within the remit of the drugs and firearms department of the Home Office, and the process of getting the license is prohibitive. The restrictions are deterring traditional farmers who see hemp as an alternative to ‘traditional’ crops, and with many more applications.

UTILISATION OF THE WHOLE HEMP PLANT, INCLUDING LEAF & FLOWER

Farmers are unable to harvest, extract, transport or process the leaf or the flower; it has to be destroyed on site. The flowers are the most profitable parts of the plant that contain the highest concentration of CBD (cannabidiol). At present all CBD extracts used in the UK are imported from Europe, China, Canada and U.S.A, where it is legal to harvest the hemp flower.

1% PERMITTED LEVELS OF THC HEMP

The EU law allowance of THC in a hemp plant is 0.2% THC. However, in Australia, Ecuador, Uruguay and Switzerland, the plant can contain up to 1% THC. A healthy dose of THC means a healthier plant. 1% THC has no psychoactive effect at this dose; however, the plant is healthier and can produce better crops and flowers.

The Importance of Hemp for the UK

We believe an unrestricted and thriving hemp industry delivers several key goals in the UK, relevant to both agricultural and environmental policies. It can be used for a range of environmentally friendly and carbon negative products, while actively contributing to mitigating climate change. A thriving domestic hemp industry can kickstart a new green industrial revolution, boost local economies, and help to seed a brighter future in a post-Brexit landscape.

HEMP MANUFACTURING IN THE UK

Since the passing of the US Hemp Farm Bill in 2018, we are beginning to see a huge resurgence in hemp manufacturing. If we don’t act soon, we could miss this vital opportunity to be part of the worldwide hemp renaissance.

NEW MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

A domestic Industrial hemp industry can provide many economic benefits for the UK, as well as British farmers, by fuelling technological, manufacturing, and design innovations that are essential to create new market opportunities and boost the local, bio and circular economies.

PRESENT HEMP SITUATION IN THE U.K.

The UK is a world leader in research and design, but hemp has barely featured, which is a another missed opportunity. Due to the removal of the processing subsidy as part of the EU CAP in 2013, and the above political barriers to growth, hemp has received little to no industrial interest or funding.