Hemp Federation of Ireland (Hemp Federation Ireland)

Lobbying Organisation Hemp Federation of Ireland

Date published 21 May, 2021

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area EU Affairs

Period 1 Jan, 2021 to 30 Apr, 2021

Specific Details The inaccurate interpretation and application of EU regulations in Ireland.

Intended results Accurate and appropriate interpretation and application of EU food regulations by Irish officials and regulatory authorities. Appropriate governance of the hemp sector in Ireland in line with applicable EU regulations with regard to the judgement of the Court of Justice of the European Union in November 2020 which clarified the legality and scientific safety of CBD products made from the EU hemp crop and also clarified that the agricultural crop is not controlled within the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs as the crop and agricultural products derived from it have no psychotropic effect.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Chris Allen

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? Ensure local elected representatives, government officials, and MEP's are aware of the serious issues preventing Irish hemp farmers and operators, working with hemp seed, fibre, leaves, shives, and cannabinoids in Ireland, from participating equally in the opening up of the EU market for industrial hemp products following the CJEU ruling in the Kanavape case.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

A detailed explanation of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 and `Directive 2009/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and the impact of inaccurate interpretation of that regulation and Directive by Irish authorities. A request to Ireland's Department of Health to respect its obligations under Council Directive 2021/3 of November 23rd 2020. A request for Minister Donnelly to wait for the EU Commission to finish its ongoing alignment of the CJEU Kanavape ruling within the European acquis communautaire, and, in light of the many positive developments at EU level, to hold back from any further actions against the interests of Irish farms and businesses until the Commission has completed its review of the EU acquis. WE request a meeting, and for the Minister to observe the democratic principle of stakeholder engagement; a cornerstone of EU democratic procedure which has been completely denied to Irish hemp industry stakeholders by successive Irish Ministers for Health since 2018.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Stephen Donnelly Minister (Department of Health)