The SRUC Podcast - SoundSage

SRUC Podcast Show Notes: Hemp: the super crop episode from the Rural Policy Centre

Guests:

Professor Vijay Kumar Thakur who heads up SRUC's Biorefining and Advanced Materials Research Centre. Click this link to find out more information on the IGS and Cambond project - looking into the use of hemp for insulation applications to replace traditional stainless steel or other materials - Vijay refers to during the podcast. Along with colleagues, Vijay has also recently published two papers on hemp: linked to here and here. Email: vijay.thakur@sruc.ac.uk
Mark Bowsher-Gibbs, a Principal Consultant with SAC Consultancy. Email: mark.bowsher-gibbs@sac.co.uk
Anna Mitchell of Castleton Farm. Anna and her husband Ross grow hemp and sell hemp-based products like hemp seed oil from their farm shop on the outskirts of Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire.

The podcast is hosted by Alexa Green, a Research Associate with SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre.

Information on licencing process for growing industrial hemp in the UK

To find out more about the licensing process for growing industrial hemp there is a dedicated section on the Home Office website - Industrial hemp licensing - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
A new licence application to cultivate hemp (for three growing seasons) currently cost £580. If a farmer has previously grown in the season prior to the licence expiring, then a ‘renewal’ fee of £326 will apply. If a compliance visit is required the fee will be £1,371 (not applicable in most instances).
The important dates for prospective applications for the 2024 growing season have not yet been announced. This gives information on the dates for the 2023 growing season.

Hemp 30 Project

Roadmap plan to boost UK industrial hemp production and processing - News and events, University of York
Phase 1 report

More information on hemp growing in Scotland