Cannabis, world agricultural in revolt against decision of Camera to prohibit "the importation, transfer, processing, distribution, trade, transport, dispatch, shipping and delivery of cultivated hemp inflorescences", even "in semi-finished, dried or shredded form, as well as products containing or consisting of such inflorescences, including extracts, resins and oils derived from them".
Measure on hemp: “It undermines the survival of the sector”
Coldiretti, Confagricoltura, Cia-Italian Farmers they are united in their commitment to a modification al Senate, warning of the heavy consequences of such a ban. For the president of Cia, Christian Fini, “it is unacceptable and unfair to block in this way one of the supply chains of excellence of the Made in Italy agro-industrial sector, which already today is worth 500 million in annual turnover and has more than 10 thousand jobs throughout Italy, boasting an enormous production potential in cosmetics, herbal medicine, green building, floriculture, textiles, all sectors that have nothing to do with the market of narcotic substances”.
“The Chamber is undermining the survival of the sector”, Coldiretti bluntly accuses, highlighting how “the inflorescence of hemp represents a fundamental part of the added value of the plant and prohibiting its harvesting and drying risks causing the collapse of an entire sector in which many young farmers are involved”.
Confagricoltura speaks of a "severe blow to the Made in Italy agro-industrial sector", underlining how the spread of hemp cultivation is also important for the development of depressed internal areas, given that the cultivation of the entire plant does not require large plots of land. The ban approved by the Chamber of Deputies would have negative repercussions also on export, Confagricoltura also notes. And it provides some numbers: the European market for hemp-based products is estimated to be worth around 2024 billion euros in 2,2, and Italy, with its current agricultural capacity, could play a leading role in the production and supply of hemp-based products. To date, thanks to the excellence of the companies operating in the country and the quality of agricultural products, over 70% of production is exported abroad (Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Austria).
Therefore, the three agricultural organizations are urging a comparison table with the parties so that the measure, which is now being examined by the Senate, sees a correction to protect the entire supply chain.
