Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
821. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to develop a national strategy for industrial hemp; whether he will support Irish farmers to diversify into hemp production for use in construction, textiles and other low carbon materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14327/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department carried out a consultative process in 2021 to examine the commercial viability of growing hemp for fibre use only. The report on this consultation was published in December 2022.
As part of the consultation, stakeholders were invited to consider a number of questions including existing markets, the strengths and weaknesses of fibre crops and the scaleability of the Irish fibre crop/hemp industry, taking into account the market size and value, industry processing capacity and economic returns along the supply chain. Two submissions were received as part of that consultation.
The main finding of the report was that the growing of fibre crops such as hemp for the purposes of fibre production only is not currently viable in Ireland. However, hemp can be successfully grown in Ireland and offers opportunities for diversification and crop rotation while delivering environmental benefits. Potential markets also exist for hemp fibre with its use in the construction industry offering the most significant opportunity.
The scaling up of a crop fibre industry would be dependent on numerous factors including the development of stable markets, significant capital investment to increase processing capacity and collaboration with all stakeholders along the supply chain, all of which must be industry led. The report noted that while the outcome of the consultation did not support the viability of fibre crops such as hemp in Ireland, it is a matter for the industry to address and bring forward a proposal containing viable options for consideration. DAFM would welcome any such proposal.
Hemp is included as an eligible crop under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme. However, current legislation in Ireland does not allow for the growing of hemp unless a specific license has been granted by the Health Products Regulatory Authority which operates under the auspices of the Department of Health.
