INTERVIEW: Bernard Thomson is government officer of the Australian Hemp Council, the place he works to construct sturdy hemp worth chains and promote sustainable cultivation and processing requirements throughout Australia. He entered the economic hemp sector in 2017 after an opportunity encounter with hemp producers at a farmers market led to his involvement with the South Australian Hemp Affiliation, later becoming a member of its government committee as treasurer. Thomson additionally serves as treasurer and a board member of Financial Reform Australia, Rethinking Economics Australia and Public Cash Australia, and based philosophy-of-freedom.au, a platform based mostly on the work of Rudolf Steiner.
HempToday: Was there something that got here out within the new Australia & New Zealand Hemp Report that shocked you?
Bernard Thomson: Not likely, as I try to regulate developments and take heed to studies as they flow into. Nevertheless the report did put for me into larger focus the necessity for hub infrastructure design and funding in addition to the danger inherent in a processing facility counting on a constant quantity and high quality of an agricultural crop. Therefore the placement of hubs may also must establish their local weather danger profile, drought, flooding and so on. I discovered reviewing data that I’m to some extent already acquainted with is a stimulus to realize extra readability and uncover new questions.
HT: The report highlights robust development potential, particularly in constructing supplies and fiber. What do you see as the highest alternatives for Australian hemp over the following three to 5 years?
BT: I see plenty of initiatives the place the planning has develop into extra mature and complete. Market potential is now not ample and product design to fulfill actual market calls for is transferring forward. On the similar time the market additionally must develop and this does current some danger for individuals who bounce in early. That’s the place authorities or native council help could make a big distinction. I feel we’re previous the company hero mannequin and the sharing of danger throughout the worth chain creates a stronger basis for fulfillment.
HT: The report flags regulatory fragmentation and skinny processing capability as main constraints. What coverage or infrastructure modifications would most speed up trade scale-up?
BT: Clearly public sector recognition of the contribution that industrial hemp could make will probably be a fantastic boon. This contains its contribution to rural trade, agriculture extra broadly as a rotational crop, but in addition carbon sequestration and remediation of contaminated soils. With this recognition can come sensible help with funding for analysis, expertise and market growth.
HT: Processing bottlenecks stay the most important hurdle for growers. How real looking is a transfer towards regionally distributed processing hubs?
BT: As I prompt above regional hubs are important for financial viability with bulk merchandise like fibre and hurd. Additionally they must be positioned with good entry to freight infrastructure for market entry, and in areas the place environmental dangers, particularly of drought or excessive climate, is manageable.
HT: Hemp-based constructing supplies look like one of the crucial promising demand areas. What requirements or coverage settings are wanted to unlock this market at scale?
BT: Larger familiarity with the potential of hurd and fiber based mostly merchandise throughout the building sector will probably be a great begin. These merchandise want to fulfill trade acknowledged specification requirements. As well as, public coverage which targets the carbon footprint within the building trade can considerably elevate the profile of hemp based mostly merchandise. A lot of the carbon emissions within the building trade (approx. 18% of whole emissions in Australia) are related to embodied carbon.
HT: How do you stability the objective of constructing robust home hemp provide chains with the rising curiosity in exporting uncooked or semi-processed hemp merchandise?
BT: I feel we have to reply to the instant circumstances and alternatives, however all the time remember that promoting merchandise into native markets reduces the price of freight (and emissions).Transport prices don’t enhance the product itself. On the similar time we are able to’t merely replicate manufacturing expertise all over the place so we have to focus on some areas, and meaning we transfer merchandise round.
Most nations speak up the advantage of exports however in my opinion it makes little sense for related merchandise to cross one another on the excessive seas sure for one another’s ports.
HT: You’ve emphasised environmental stewardship and community-based financial fashions. How do these values form your priorities for hemp growth past business development?
BT: I see hemp as having nice promise however not giving up its worth so simply. Other than the environmental advantages I imagine {that a} cooperative strategy is crucial which is sweet for group and good for human wellbeing. Self-interest have to be balanced with social concern and I like to concentrate to the distinctive relationships that underpin profitable endeavors. Curiosity within the different is the inspiration for constructing robust relationships that are important in an trade the place we should be taught collectively and share danger.
HT: Together with your curiosity the holistic philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, how does that worldview affect your enthusiastic about decentralized trade constructions or cooperative fashions in hemp?
BT: Steiner is greatest recognized for his contribution to training, agriculture and drugs. However he additionally addressed social and financial points instantly following the calamity of the First World Warfare and the predictable failure of the Versailles Treaty. His particular contribution to financial and social considering is described within the ebook “The Threefold Social Order” which highlights three useful ideas that have to be mirrored within the three spheres of society – Tradition (Freedom), State (Equality) and Economic system (Fraternity). He makes clear that our shared financial well-being is instantly depending on our capability to work cooperatively by means of associations. The egotistical precept which underlies the present free market ideology runs counter to a cooperative strategy producing inefficiency and waste.
HT: As hemp turns into extra mainstream, how can the trade shield transparency, group profit, and environmental integrity whereas nonetheless scaling?
BT: There may be in my opinion nothing inherently constructive about merely getting greater. Nevertheless there are economies of scale and in addition alternatives for a larger affect that include a bigger market presence. It’s nonetheless vital that the environmental and social values aren’t compromised by the promise of financial enlargement..
I might say that normally good position fashions have one of the best affect, prescriptions and rules can solely curtail undesirable habits. In case you have an general constructive view of human nature then you’ll want to preserve that in view.
HT: Trying forward 10–15 years, what’s your splendid imaginative and prescient for Australia’s hemp panorama — environmentally, economically, and socially?
BT: I imagine that the hemp trade can educate us in good agricultural observe, environmental consciousness and social duty. I want to see this develop into an everlasting a part of its future growth.
HT: What do you think about your important contribution to the economic hemp trade?
BT: Being neither a grower, processor or trade knowledgeable, I see my position as an enabler or facilitator, offering organizational administrative help, networking and asking questions.
