Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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259. To ask the Minister for Health if there are regulatory impediments to the growing of hemp here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49118/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under current legislation the Minister for Health can issue a licence for the growing of hemp from seed varieties specified by the Commission of the European Communities, as being eligible for the purposes of Article 1 of Regulation (EU) No. 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 (OJ No. L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 608.).

The HPRA (Health Products Regulatory Authority) administers the hemp licencing process on behalf of the Dept of Health. Further information regarding the hemp licencing process for the above purposes is available from the HPRA at controlleddrugs@hpra.ie.