Hemp Federation Ireland Welcomes EPA Research Call 2026 and Calls for Proposals on Hemp Value Chain to Align with EU Law and Unlock Climate & Circular Economy Potential
Hemp Federation Ireland (HFI) notes with interest the opening of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Research Call 2026, which offers up to €10.5 million for innovative projects addressing environmental, climate, and sustainability challenges. The call, open since 2 April with a submission deadline of 28 May 2026, includes significant funding under the “Facilitating a Green and Circular Economy” hub — themes that align closely with hemp’s proven benefits as a low-input, carbon-sequestering crop capable of supporting sustainable value chains and bio-based materials.
Frustratingly, while there is clear interest from researchers and organisations outside Ireland in developing proposals around the Irish hemp value chain, domestic momentum remains constrained by longstanding regulatory barriers. The Federation’s members — many of whom have decades of hands-on experience in the sector — stand ready to contribute practical expertise, yet Ireland’s national legislation continues to prohibit the cultivation and possession of industrial hemp in a manner that conflicts with EU law. Under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, industrial hemp (with THC content ≤ 0.3%) is a fully recognised agricultural crop. EU law precludes national measures that have the effect of prohibiting its cultivation or possession. While Member States may introduce additional rules, these cannot be prohibitive. Ireland’s current framework, however, has precisely that prohibitive effect, severely limiting the development of the entire hemp sector — from farming through to innovative applications such as construction materials, textiles, and circular economy solutions. HFI Chairperson Kate Mullaney stated:
“We strongly support research that advances a genuine green and circular economy in Ireland. However, any meaningful progress on hemp must be grounded in a clear understanding of the EU legal framework and the immediate need for national reform. Without alignment, research proposals risk being built on unstable foundations. We urge the EPA and relevant policymakers to engage directly with this core issue so that Ireland can fully realise hemp’s climate and economic potential.”
The Federation emphasises that the development of bio-based materials, including those derived from hemp, cannot and must not be supported at the expense of food production. Hemp is a versatile rotational crop that complements rather than competes with traditional agriculture, offering environmental benefits such as soil regeneration, reduced pesticide use, and significant carbon sequestration without displacing food crops. HFI calls on Irish researchers, long-standing industry operators, and policymakers to collaborate on proposals that explicitly address these legal and practical barriers. The Federation remains available to connect interested parties and provide evidence-based input rooted in decades of real-world experience.
Hemp Federation Ireland represents growers, processors, and advocates committed to developing a thriving, regulated industrial hemp sector that delivers environmental, economic, and social benefits for Ireland.
Full details, including the Technical Description Document, are available on the EPA website: https://www.epa.ie/our-services/research/epa--research-funding/epa-research-call/ Hemp Federation Ireland remains committed to working constructively with policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to unlock the full environmental, economic, and climate benefits of industrial hemp for Ireland — starting with proper legal alignment at national level.
For further information contact Kate at: 089 9464198
Email: kate@hempfederationIreland.org
Website: www.hempfederationireland.org
