29/11/2007 00:00:00
Sweden: Controversial hemp farmer wins award
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Farmer Ulf Hammarsten has been awarded an environmental prize by
officials Laholm for his decision to fight a ban on the cultivation of
industrial hemp all the way to the EU courts.
When Hammarsten first began growing the crop seven years ago, police
soon arrived at his farm in western Sweden and dug up all his plants.
Hammarsten faced criminal charges for narcotics offences. But he stuck
to his task and eventually earned the right to continue growing hemp
when he defeated the Swedish authorities in an EU court case.
"It became clear to me quite early that this was an environmentally
friendly crop that cleanses the earth. Hemp sucks up substances that
destroy the soil such as industrial fertilizer and pesticides,"
Hammarsten told Sveriges Radio.
The Laholm farmer's court victory spelled the end of a thirty year ban
on the growth of industrial hemp. While the plant can be used to
generate cannabis, the industrial uses of hemp include the production of
paper, food oil, fuel, paint, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
The plant also grows quickly and is easy to harvest.
TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)
http://www.thelocal.se/9244/20071129/
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=13049
Author:
The Local: Sweden via UKCIA
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