News
TPI Enterprises applies to grow 1,200 ha poppies
Release date: 01 February 2007
Australia’s third poppy processing company, TPI Enterprises has applied for a licence to grow 1,200 hectares of poppies, after securing orders to supply for the next three years, and a 10- year Exclusivity Agreement for supply.
TPI’s Managing Director, Mr Jarrod Ritchie said the deal meant the company would be expanding staff numbers as well as seeking farmers to register their interest for the 2007 Growing Program.
Mr Ritchie said the company was extremely pleased to be able to confirm to growers there was still strong demand for Tasmanian poppy straw, “TPI now has confirmed orders to supply CPS (Concentrate of Poppy Straw) and Value Added opiates for the next three years with a 10- year Exclusivity Agreement to supply, ensuring strong demand in the coming years”.
He said the company recognised the need to keep the Poppy Advisory Control Board fully advised of its plans to secure all necessary approvals. In line with the Poppy Advisory Control Board (PACB) requirements for annual licensing of all poppy straw processing companies, TPI has applied for a licence to grow 1,200 hectares in 2007.
“TPI is working closely with the PACB to ensure we comply with the strict regulatory process,” Mr Ritchie said, “We understand the need to protect Tasmania’s reputation as a reliable and responsible producer of opiates.
“TPI has a keen interest in helping to maintain that reputation.”
TPI currently has the following licences:
* Federal Government Manufacturing Licence
* Federal Government Export Licence
* State Government of Tasmania Manufacturing Licence (conditional)
Mr Ritchie said TPI planned to meet customer orders for 2008 and looked forward to speaking with growers able to plant for the company.
TPI will offer a price premium over the 2006/07 contractual season prices. Growers contracted for TPI’s 2007 Growing Program are guaranteed a contract for same area in 2008 (subject to PACB approval).
“It is an exciting time of expansion and growth for TPI and we continue to anticipate good things for the future of the Tasmanian poppy industry,” Mr Ritchie said.
“Our strategy to find new markets for Tasmanian product and bring new technologies to the industry will help entrench the State’s international reputation in this industry.”
Background
TPI Enterprises is Australian-owned and as part of TPI’s market entry plan, trial crops of Thebaine and Morphine have been grown in north east Tasmania.
In November 2005, TPI received an AusIndustry Award from the Commonwealth Government ‘For innovation in developing alternative Thebaine poppies and enhanced extraction techniques”.
With an eco-friendly, efficient extraction and purification manufacturing process, TPI will be a world leader in Concentrate of Poppy Straw (CPS) supply for quality and price.