66. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to support producers of hemp in the State. [60429/21] 

Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine: The Deputy will be aware that Cannabis, which includes hemp is listed in Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 (S.I. No 173 of 2017), as amended, which means it is subject to the strictest level of control. It is an offence in Ireland to cultivate, import, export, produce, supply and possess cannabis except in accordance with a license issued by the Minister for Health. 

Hemp is included as an eligible crop under the Basic Payment Scheme implemented by my Department. Any producer who grows hemp in Ireland who has a licence issued by the Minister for Health to grow hemp is entitled to apply to the Basic Payment Scheme. 

My Department is currently conducting a consultation, in line with a commitment given in the current Programme for Government, to “fully explore the potential for growing fibre crops such as hemp, considering whether these crops have a viable market”. The consultation is being conducted by my officials with input from relevant stakeholders to establish if there is a financial viability of crops, including hemp as a fibre source. When the process has concluded, and the findings evaluated I will be able to make a determination regarding the future viability of growing hemp for fibre in Ireland.