Auckland Man Fined for Selling Illegally Slaughtered Pigs
An Auckland man has been fined $6,000 for offering to sell illegally slaughtered pigs.
This means with the removal of the “industrial hemp” category, cultivation of the crop, will be all encompassing and fall under remit of The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977.
What the New Hemp Rules Mean for Growers
The result is any person can grow hemp, at any location, with growers needing to notify the Police on an annual basis.
They are also required to notify The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) before cultivation, grow crops of hemp with THC levels of up to 1%, with leaf and flower (biomass) able to be used by the medicinal cannabis industry.
Years of Industry Advocacy Leads to Reform
The NZHIA, NZMCC, and AHA (the coalition) all have a future desire to work with the Government through the Hemp Industry Liaison Group (HILG) forum to facilitate positive outcomes for the hemp industry.
As a follow-up to the August 2022 HILG meeting, these parties collated a set of five key objectives for the wider industry that require regulatory intervention to be achieved.
The coalition’s strategic proposal was sent to the Government in September 2023, but it was shelved during a change of government, until the coalition brought it up again in October 2024.
NZHIA made a presentation to PPSC in November 2024 and had various meetings with MPs and Ministries during the latter part of the year.
During February 2025, the Ministry for Regulation announced the review and the NZHIA and its sponsors arranged a factory and field visit for MPs’ and officials.
The announcement of the regulatory reform was made in December 2025 and the deregulated industry for growing hemp will be enacted on 28 May 2026.
Biosecurity and Pollen Drift Concerns Remain
While the hemp industry associations celebrate the great news for the growers of hemp, they are cautious, suggesting that there are serious implications.
They point out biosecurity risks, noting any importation of hemp seeds, needs to comply with the Import Health Standards, alongside the risks of pollen drift, likely to cause cross-contamination from wind-blown pollen.
The industry also raises the question of what compliance/ notification looks like post 28 May, noting that Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) regulations must abide by the MPI ban on hemp for use with production or companion animals, alongside food safety issues.
