News
TPI’S Stage 2 construction commences today
Release date: 21 February 2007
Construction of Stage 2 starts today on TPI Enterprises Facility at Cressy.
The $7 million development for TPI commences less than one year since the company launched Stage 1 last year.
“Our development is progressing to plan and during this exciting phase of growth, we were pleased to receive such strong support from Tasmania’s farming community” TPI’s Managing Director, Mr Jarrod Ritchie said.
TPI has received over 100 expressions of interest so far from growers throughout Tasmania, with interest to participate in its 2007 Growing Program still coming in.
Mr Ritchie said he was very pleased with the response to the call for expressions of interest and TPI was planning to make contact with those who had registered during the next month.
Earlier this year and in line with PACB requirements, TPI applied for a licence to grow 1,200 hectares of poppies in 2007, after securing orders to supply for the next three years, and a 10- year Exclusivity Agreement for supply.
“Growers are keen to talk to us and had a number of questions, so we have put together a fact sheet to ensure they know TPI Enterprises is an Australian owned company, based here in Tasmania,” Mr Ritchie said (see attached).
“I am happy to inform growers there is still strong demand for Tasmanian poppy straw and we plan to implement a quality Field Services and Research Program with the industry, ” Mr Ritchie continued.
Mr Ritchie said the company was still working with the Poppy Advisory Control Board (PACB) to keep them fully advised of its plans to secure all necessary approvals. “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 and we are keen to help the state maintain its reputation.”
TPI currently has the following licences:
- Federal Government Manufacturing Licence
- Federal Government Export Licence
- Federal Government Import Licence
- State Government of Tasmania Manufacturing Licence (conditional)*
* This licence is currently conditional and relates to processing of trial crops. TPI has applied to the PACB to upgrade this to a full commercial manufacturing licence.
“We continue to anticipate good things for the future of the Tasmanian poppy industry and we are proud to be part of its growth,” Mr Ritchie said.