HempCyberFarm Germany

Hemp Cultivation in Germany

The situation in Germany:
The amount of hemp planted in Germany in 1997 will increase by 40% from 1996 to 5,000 acres. While 90% of Germany's 1996 production was exported to France and Spain for pulp production, 1997's crop should be processed closer to home as the domestic hemp industry develops. (see John Dvorak article)

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HANF IN GERMANY

HANF IN GERMANY
by John E. Dvorak

The dynamic nature of the resurgent hemp industry is exemplified in Germany. Recent changes have been occurring at a phenomenal pace as the environmentally minded Europeans help restore hanf (hemp) to its rightful place as one of nature's most versatile plants.

This article will try to provide a brief historical overview of hemp in Germany as well as a description of what is currently hempening. Gero Leson of the nova Institute (510-525-9533) provided invaluable information for this article by way of e-mail, phone conversations and his published articles. Copies of the Journal of the International Hemp Association, HempWorld Magazine, Cannabis Canada, and Hemp Magazine were also used as references.

HANF HISTORY
As is the case all over the planet, hemp has a rich and colorful history in Germany. The earliest documented hemp artifacts in Europe date back to 800BC. Hemp seed's nutritional value has been recognized since the Middle Ages and it is still used today to make a German traditional soup. During the 14th century, the ancient Chinese art of making paper was introduced to Germany. Hemp and flax rags were used to make paper that can last for hundreds of years. In the 17th century, hemp was used to equip and clothe the German fleet. In it's heyday, hemp was grown on several hundred thousand acres of land. Technological advances in the 18th century started hemp on it's gradual decline into obscurity. Wood based paper, usually obtained through clear-cutting, and pesticide hungry cotton both provided "cheaper" alternatives to the labor intensive products extracted from the hemp plant. The decline in sailing at this time also lowered the demand for hemp's sturdy and water resistant fiber. These factors were further compounded in the 19th century when less expensive, foreign grown fibers such as jute and sisal became available in large quantities. By 1910, hemp was being grown on fewer than 2,000 acres. Both World Wars saw significant, but brief, increases in hemp production as overseas supplies of cotton, jute, and sisal were cut off. During the second World War, the German government introduced a program similar to America's "Hemp For Victory" campaign in which farmers were encouraged to grow hemp. The post war years saw the resumption of natural fiber imports as well as the development of synthetic fibers. This kept hemp's resurgence short lived. In 1982, the German government amended its federal narcotics act to prohibit the cultivation of hemp, regardless of THC content. One of the only exceptions to this law allowed farmers to continue to grow hemp around their beet crops to prevent cross-pollination. These farmers knew that hemp provides a good “hedge” against disaster.

HANF'S COMEBACK
The prohibition of hemp cultivation went virtually unchallenged until 1993, when Jack Herers landmark book “The Emperor Wears no Clothes" was translated into German and printed on hemp paper. The book, which also contains a historical review of hemp and an evaluation of its industrial uses, became an instant sensation as eco-conscious citizens learned of hemp's environmentally beneficial properties. At the same time, the hidden costs of the "cheaper" alternatives to hemp were becoming more apparent as the devastating effects of clear-cutting forests and pollution from pesticides and petrochemicals were felt.

In 1994, a group of German farmers, agricultural cooperatives and hemptrepreneurs formed The Hemp Society with the intention of reintegrating hemp into the economy. In addition to funding research projects and public education, The Hemp Society started the Hanfhaus (Hemp House) retail chain which had grown to 20 stores throughout Germany by the end of 1996.

In March of 1995, the first international technological and scientific exhibition on hemp as a bioresource was held in Frankfurt. Bioresource Hemp, as the event was called, is part of BIO FACH, the world's largest trade fair for environmentally friendly consumer products. At the first Bioresource Hemp, over 30 companies and institutes presented their technologies and products. A four day symposium was also held as over 30 scientists from over a dozen countries presented the results of their research projects to over several hundred hemp experts. Topics covered included the rediscovery of hemp, status reports from selected countries, breeding, cultivation and harvesting of the hemp plant, the processing of hemp fiber into paper, textiles and other products, and the non-fiber uses of hemp (oil, hurds, cannabinoids). This historic "hemposium" ended with a panel discussion on the future of hemp.

The public's rising awareness of the usefulness of hemp resulted in increased protests over its prohibition. In March of 1996, the German government responded by lifting the ban on hemp cultivation. Consequently, over 570 farmers grew a total of 3,500 acres during the 1996 growing season. Approximately half of the farmers worked directly with hemp processing companies who contracted to purchase their crop. The Netherlands based company HempFlax contracted with farmers near the Dutch border to grow 750 acres. A European Union subsidy of $400/acre provided additional financial incentive for the farmers to grow hemp.

HANF's FUTURE
Lifting the ban on the cultivation of hemp in Germany revealed what is becoming a recurring problem in the hemp industry: the equipment to harvest and process hemp has not been improved significantly since the turn of the century. Most of the 1996 hemp crop was therefore harvested with equipment that was not specifically designed for such a purpose thereby complicating the drying, turning and bailing process. Some of the crops were harvested using HempFlax's newly developed machine which cuts the hemp stalks into uniform lengths. Innovations such as these need to continue before the hemp industry can fully reach its potential.

In the area of hemp processing, the lack of equipment to efficiently separate the bast fiber from the woody inner hurds could result in the stockpiling of hemp stalks. Some young hemptrepreneurs at the German firm BaFa addressed this need recently when they opened the first mechanical processing facility dedicated solely to hemp. The BaFa plant performs the primary processing steps of breaking and decorticating the hemp into its constituent parts for use in thousands of different products.

A firm called Ecco is working on a process that uses ultrasonic sound waves on hemp submerged in water to extract the fiber from the stalks without the need for intensive chemical or mechanical processing. A byproduct of this process is lignin, which can be used as an organic glue or fertilizer. In the past, the lignin produced from hemp retted in ponds or streams could contaminate the water. Ecco's ultrasonic sound separation process may be able to turn this liability into an asset. Another technique being refined is the steam explosion process [see article on G. Leson and the Hemp Product Line Project].

From February 27 through March 2, 1997, the 2nd Bioresource Hemp symposium and trade show will be held at the Frankfurt Exhibition Center. Due to the tremendous effort put into researching and working with hemp over the last two years, this event will surely bring forth some truly momentous announcements. A preliminary program for day 1 includes updates on the hemp industry in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Austria, Yugoslavia and Germany. Day 2 will include several presentations regarding hemp genetics and breeding as well as the results of cultivation trials and field experiences. Day 3's presenters will discuss different processing techniques and decorticators. Dyeing and finishing techniques, paper making, and the use of hemp fiber in composite building materials will also be covered. The conference wraps up with presentations on hemp seeds as food and medical applications. Mathias Brockers of Hanfhaus will also discuss the future of hemp markets. An in depth review of the 1997 Bioresource Hemp symposium will be written by this author soon after his return from Frankfurt. (see events and symposium page)

As the 1997 growing season approaches, there is considerable speculation concerning the total number of acres that will be planted. Several factors are involved, including the availability and price of hemp seeds. The French have a virtual monopoly on the industrial hemp seed market. As other countries develop their seed producing capabilities, France's control will lessen. Another area worth keeping an eye on is the average number of acres of hemp grown by each farmer. On average in 1996, farmers planted just over 6 acres of hemp. In 1997, the average plot size should increase as farmers who had success in 1996 plant more hemp and farmers who were less productive will plant fewer acres.

To learn more about hanf in Germany, take a trip to the Hemp Museum in Berlin. Here you'll find exhibits covering topics such as the history of hemp, politics and hemp, cultivation of hemp, and hemp as medicine. If you can not make it to Berlin, visit the Berlin Hemp Museum's Internet site at: http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/. This site has an overview of its main exhibits (in English) as well as pictures of wild hemp, kind bud, and various hemp products

Irregardless of the obstacles placed in its way by decades of neglect, the future of the hemp industry in Germany is very bright indeed. As more people become aware of hemp's potential to heal the environment and serve as a source of food, fuel, and fiber they will use their inventiveness to help ensure that hemp reaches its fullest potential.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Edwards Dvorak is a Texas born and Boston based re-legalization activist and hempologist. He is currently on the Board of Directors of Mass Cann/NORML and is a member of the Hemp Industries Association and the International Hemp Association. In addition to penning the occasional hemp article, Mr. Dvorak keeps himself busy researching the historic uses of hemp, documenting the madness of cannabis prohibition, giving pro-hemp speeches, attending hemp related trade shows, and lurking on the Internet. You can contact him at 617-789-4030 or boston.hemp@pobox.com.

Do you know more about this? e-mail us at Matthew@HempWorld.com

Hemp facts and links related to Germany:

Did you know that Germany grew an astronomical 200'000 hectares (approx. 500'000 acres) of Industrial-Hemp during the pre-war 1930's? This was shown at the last BioFach in Frankfurt, Germany.

Hemptextiles: Fa. Holler und Szabo, Anton Holler:
Graflinger Strasse 56-60
94469 Deggendorf
Deutschland
Phone 0991-370-4920
Fax 0991-370-4912
e-mail:?

Research Institutes:

FH-Reutlingen
Alteburgstrasse 150
D-72762 Reutlingen
GERMANY

“NEW PROCESSING STRATEGIES FOR HEMP” by Kai M. Nebel

Phone +7121-271-549
Fax +7121-271-537

Dipl. Ing. (FH) Kai M. Nebel
Textile Technologies
Kompetenzbereich Verfahrenstechnik/Textiltechnologie
e-mail: kai.nebel@FH-Reutlingen.de

nova Institute
Michael Karus
e-mail: nova-Institut Hürth nova-H@t-online.de
Website: http://www.nova-institut.de/mih

Leson Environmental Consulting
Gero Leson; Principal
P.O.Box 10075
Berkeley, CA 94709
Phone: 510-525-9533
Fax: 510-525-9432

Do you know more about this? e-mail us at Matthew@HempWorld.com

*Industrial-Hemp has no psychoactive properties following definition of the European Economic Community (EEC); THC content is less than 0.3%. In general, low THC-seed varieties without psychoactive properties are those that have a THC content of less than 1%. (See also No-THC Hemp-seed.) THC= Delta-9 TetraHydroCannabinol.