Victor Boyhan Questions Experts on Hemp Regulation and Industry Gaps

I'd like to welcome our guests here today. I have just three questions, one for Barry, one for Margaret and one for Daniel. So in relation to yourself, Dr Barry O'Reilly, you mentioned in the final paragraph of your written statement that you presented to us today, we got in advance and you readjusted the record today, you mentioned the proposals to amend the CMO, the Common Market Organisation regulations as part of the post-2027 cap and you say the proposal allows for the harmonising of the EU rules, covering all parts of hemp plant and the maximum legal THC. Can you share with us, you also mentioned that discussions are continuing and ongoing on the proposal under the Irish, the EU-Irish Presidency. Can you just sort of fill us in the background of that a little bit and where is the trajectory of all that going or where is it anticipated that that might be going? Yes, I suppose, why there's a proposal on to harmonise all parts of the hemp plant, essentially because of the bio-economy, you know, there is opportunities there to use other parts of the hemp plant other than fibre. So I suppose, you know, in order to try and exploit the maximum potential from the hemp plant, you know, there is this proposal at the moment. But at the moment, different Member States have different, you know, levels of, you know, different, you know, tolerances for THC and kind of hemp products. So there would be different Member States with different restrictions in terms of, you know, the marketing of certain parts of the hemp plant. So this is what this proposal is aiming to do. Can you share the copy of that proposal with the committee? I think we can share. I think it's new to me and I think it would be interesting to try and get some understanding in relation to it. And then in terms of the trajectory of that and discussions with the, you know, these are clearly under the EU-Irish Presidency. I mean, so clearly our Minister for Agriculture would be someone that could carry some influence in relation to this, if influence was required. I simply am not in possession, I don't think any committee is in possession of all of that. So if we could have, may I suggest to you Dr O'Reilly, that if we could have a sort of memo to the committee on that and where it's envisaged to take that. Would that be okay? Yeah, we can do that. That's great. I really appreciate that. So thanks. And then the next, Margaret, I think you had a very interesting paper and I want to congratulate you on your work. And clearly you put a lot of research and R&D into this area. I think that's really important. Thank you. Cheers to you. Sorry. Yeah, well thank you for this opportunity. Can you sort of touch on, in terms of your engagement with Chogs, it just struck me, Chogs were in here last week talking about, and they have a specific role in terms of research and innovation, farm diversification, education, they have a very broad way. What is your experience or your organisation's experience and relationship with Chogs? Have you found it to be a positive one? A helpful one? Did you expect more and get less? You might just share with the committee in one minute, that sort of dynamic and relationship with Chogs. We've had an incredibly positive relationship with Chogs. I couldn't overstate that. We launched the Hemp for Soil project in Chogs at their hemp event in 2022 in Ashtown. Chogs, to us, and our relationship with them, are very innovative, forward thinking, very supportive. From our experience, they want the best for the farmer. And they're willing to put their money where their mouth is, they're willing to put their, they'll stand by the farmer, they'll support them, they'll support the research on behalf of the farmer. We're a voluntary group. I do this in my spare time. I have a day job. So I'm not a scientist, I'm not a farmer, but I really believe in this crop and I believe in what it can do for my local area. And Chogs have been great in that regard. So in summary, my understanding is it's a positive experience. Totally. And have you plans going forward in terms of more collaboration with Chogs in relation to your work? Yes, we have two ongoing projects. One is to create a living lab that's across four European countries. It's part of the Soil Critise EIP. We're a member of that project group. So we will be liaising with Chogs on the creation of a living lab in County Clare. And we also have a scene project, which is around soil carbon and enhancement. And we will also be liaising with Chogs on that. Okay. Thanks very much. I mean, that's a really positive takeaway and I'm glad to hear it. So thank you for sharing that with us. Daniel, in relation to the, again, the last paragraph in relation to your submission, and it was an excellent submission as well, you say that the Irish company Kingspan is leading the way in hemp-based insulation. So, I mean, that's exciting. Kingspan are an amazing company. They're at the edge of all of this area and construction and, you know, they're very impressive. In terms of, can you share with me, has there been any dialogue or engagement in relation to contract growing of hemp for Kingspan? Kingspan kind of said, like, there isn't, there isn't a de-corrugation, there isn't a factory here at the moment. So they had to go to Europe where Europe is leading the way. We're falling behind here. We seem to be the only country in Europe that aren't doing something with hemp. So they are actually importing it into the country, adding carbon credits onto the material that could be produced here at the end of the day. Do you, do you feel there's an element of a potential for further collaboration and engagement with them? Are they willing? Oh, absolutely. I don't know what the relationship is. Why would they import? Why would they import it if it could be produced here? It's a no-brainer for them, I'd say, as well, to be honest, you know? How is that progressing in terms of your... It hasn't progressed at all because, as I say, that conversation isn't even happening at the moment because there is no infrastructure here. So they're looking, they're looking to Europe really at the moment, you know? We don't have an infrastructure here. We don't have a decortication plant. We can't produce the material for them at the moment. Do you have any knowledge of the quantity of material they're currently using? I don't. I don't have the information on that now at all. But they actually bought the whole line of hemp flax, which is a German company there as well, which produces a lot of material. I don't have the actual figures on at the moment, but I assume it's quite substantial. OK. Listen, thank you very much. I think your contributions have been very enlightening in terms of our understanding of this debate and I thank you for coming before the committee. Thanks.