Coughlan announces €8m package to encourage planting of energy crops

AN €8 MILLION grants package to encourage farmers to grow energy crops was announced yesterday by Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan.

Grants for the establishment of willow and miscanthus (elephant grass) zones and a top-up to the EU’s energy crops premium are being introduced.

The aim is to encourage the planting of crops for the production of biomass suitable for use as a renewable source of heat and energy.