Planting scheme hits first-year target

THE number of applications for establishment grants of up to €1,450 per hectare to aid the planting of willow and miscanthus under the new bioenergy scheme will reach the first-year target, according to Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan.

Some 133 applications have been submitted for grants in respect of the planting of miscanthus and 17 for willow. The target for the first year of the scheme is 1,400 hectares.

Ms Coughlan said the scheme, being run on a pilot basis in 2007, has attracted significant interest from farmers. Ms Coughlan reminded farmers to also submit an application for the EU Energy Crops Scheme or on set-aside areas under the non-food set-aside scheme.