Bromoxynil Permit at Risk for Tasmanian Hemp Growers
Tasmanian hemp growers face a looming crisis as the state’s only permit for the herbicide Bromoxynil expires on June 30, 2027, jeopardizing the seed‑for‑food industry.
Former Tasmanian Hemp Association president Tim Schmidt warned that without urgent action the industry could collapse, noting Bromoxynil’s two‑decade record of controlling broadleaf weeds.
The APVMA requires $100,000 two‑year residue trials to keep the permit active, and the responsibility now rests with the Australian Hemp Council after Ecofibre Ltd halted its work.
THA president Andi Lucas said the association has communicated openly with the AHC and AgAware, and a renewal for Bromoxynil and Chlorantraniliprole is slated for April.
Two trial sites in northern New South Wales and the Northern Territory will generate the residual data needed for renewal, with results expected by late August.
Schmidt cautioned that the geographically distinct NT and NSW sites may not provide data relevant to Tasmanian conditions, risking the permit’s continuation.
Tasmania’s hemp seed‑for‑food area has surged from 34 ha three years ago to 300 ha last season, with the market expanding about 15 % annually over the past three years.
Schmidt urged the THA to focus on immediate grower issues and protect the agricultural foundation of Tasmania’s emerging hemp industry.
