What is the current situation of hemp growing and processing in Germany?
What are your perspectives for 1999? The German hemp industry is developing quite positively. Cultivation area has increased from 2,812 ha in 1997 to 3,575 ha in 1998. Three fiber processing plants have come on-line in the last two years. Additional facilities will go into operation in 1999, including the VER-NA-RO plant in Gardelegen, that will be the most modern hemp facility in Europe. What is the main obstacle to further expansion of hemp in Germany? The slow development of markets for technical hemp fiber products and the lack of several key technologies for the production of value-added products, such as open-end spinnable fiber for commodity textiles. Crucial for the short-term prospects of the German hemp industry is demand by the automotive industry. Hemp is already being used in fiber reinforced composites in several German car models. It is expected that this demand will sharply increase in 1999. How do you think EU policy will develop with respect to hemp? In 1998, the deba
