The Australian opiate alkaloid industry is based on a poppy straw extraction process invented by Hungarian chemist, Janos Kabay, in 1931.
This process extracts the opiate alkaloids from the dry capsules of the mature poppy (Papaver somniferum) plant and bypasses the opium stage - previously the only way of obtaining opiates from the poppy plant. It is considered the safer method for commercial production of opiates.
Developmental work based on the Kabay process was done by the CSIRO during World War Two in a number of Australian States, including Tasmania.
Pilot production began on the North West Coast of Tasmania in 1964.
The then Department of Agriculture carried out a range of agronomic trials investigating weed competition and herbicides, cultivar assessment, nutrition, plant density, irrigation, and optimum times for sowing, drilling and harvesting.
This work provided the basis for the industry, which is now considered the most efficient and highest yielding per hectare in the world.
The first season of commercial production began in 1970.
In 1972, a joint decision by Commonwealth and State Governments restricted the growing of Papaver somniferum to Tasmania. This led to the establishment of the Poppy Advisory and Control Board.
