The Rural Affairs Committee of the Seimas approved the proposal to simplify requirements for suppliers of hemp products and their products. It is claimed that after the legalization of the new procedure, most of the seeds of this plant would be imported from Ukraine.
If Seimas will agree to this, scientific and study institutions from third countries will be able to import a limited amount – no more than 6 kilograms – of seeds of fibrous hemp varieties not legalized in the European Union (EU) for scientific or breeding purposes without an import license.
In this way, it would be allowed to grow more fibrous hemp varieties in Lithuania, expanding the possibilities of their use.
“It is important for us and our institute (state scientific research institutes – the Lithuanian Center for Agricultural and Forestry Sciences – BNS) to participate – to grow and research new varieties of hemp”, said Minister of Agriculture Kęstutis Navickas at the committee meeting.
“We will have to notify the European Commission (amendment – BNS) and if we receive approval, we will see if we really continue on this path,” the minister added.
Lithuania will apply to the European Commission after the amendments are approved by the Seimas.
According to Rimantas Čiūtas, Director of the Association of Cannabis Growers, Processors and Business Innovators, if the new procedure were approved, it would also be support for Ukraine, from where most of the seeds of this plant would be brought.
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