Huge growth for hemp in Tasmania at the expense of poppy

Tasmania is used to be the world’s largest producer of opium alkaloids for the pharmaceutical market. The area sown to poppies is close to 30,000 ha, and the industry is one of the larger employers in the State.

Tasmanian devils are adapting to a facial tumour disease that's decimated their population. (AAP) Source: AAP

However, farmers are shifting their attention to growing hemp.

Our correspondent in Hobart, Gar Foong, also talks about that a new study of Tasmanian devils has revealed that a transmissible cancer which has devastated devil populations in recent years in unlikely to cause extinction of the iconic species.

There will be Chinese New Year celebrations near the Parliament House at 1 Salamanca Pl, Hobart on Sunday 3 Feb, 2019.