Share this:





25



The Irish Hemp Cooperative has named two new board members as it plans a busy slate of activities throughout the rest of the year aimed at expanding membership in the organization.

The election to the board of Laura Foley, a partner in CBD company Canabaoil and Jack O’Connor of agri-tech firm BHSL came during a recent meeting of about 80 stakeholders who heard board member Kate Carmody give an update on the activities carried out by the board during the previous 12 months, and other presentations.

2018 was busy year

The board in 2018 met the licensing body the Health Products Regulatory Authority, visited processing facilities and businesses in other countries, obtained innovation vouchers, and applied for national and European funding.

Attendees also heard board member Ed Hainbidge give a detailed presentation on how to apply for a license to cultivate hemp in Ireland. With many of the individuals in the room keen to grow hemp for the first time, this provided valuable insight into the process involved.

Possibilities for farmers

John Woods of Linwoods Foods gave a talk on his experience with developing hemp products. Linwoods have been making health foods for 50 years and were one of the first to produce hemp seed foods on the island. Woods also highlighted a number of possibilities for Irish farmers if they grow hemp.

Many of the attendees lingered for hours discussing hemp after the meeting had officially ended. It’s evident that more Irish people are interested in growing and using hemp.

The cooperative signed up a significant number of new members and board members said they were encouraged by the enthusiasm in the room.

The Irish Hemp Cooperative was established in 2017 following months of meetings across the country with various stakeholders. The cooperative was created to help put in place the infrastructure needed for growing and developing the hemp industry at a local and national level.