Natalia Bontey's Profile

h. Industrial Hemp

The Canadian delegation asked for an update on the status of proposed U.S. regulations relating to industrial hemp and if a risk assessment will be performed. The U.S. delegation indicated that the final rule was published March 21, 2003, and was largely unchanged from the original. The U.S. government (USG) does not view this regulation as a sanitary and phyto-sanitary measure, but rather as an illegal drug enforcement issue, and therefore, it does not need to be notified to the WTO. Furthermore, they indicated that since the product in question is a controlled substance, not an agricultural product, the issue should be taken off the CCA agenda. Canada indicated it did not share that view, that a risk assessment being undertaken by Health Canada shows significant evidence of safe use of industrial hemp, contrary to the proposed U.S. regulations which undermine its legitimate use. Canada noted it would take under consideration the U.S. request to remove the item from the agenda.