Mixed reaction to grants scheme

THERE was criticism and guarded praise yesterday for the new grant scheme for energy crops, announced by Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan.

Green Party deputy leader Cllr Mary White said the scheme was too little too late. The total area under grant assistance was only 1,400 hectares and the three weeks in which to apply for the grants is too short a time frame.

Sinn Fein spokesman Martin Ferris gave qualified approval to the scheme. Decoupling had opened up the possibility of using large amounts of land for growing energy crops so it is vital the right grant structure is in place.