Farmers urged to consider fuel crops

FARMERS have again been urged to consider energy crops as an alternative land use option.

Forestry Minister Mary Wallace said bio-energy offers a real, feasible and cost-effective alternative to imported fossil fuels.

And with the development of a market for bio-energy, a significant alternative source of income is emerging for farmers and other landowners, she said.

Ms Wallace said that under CAP reform, farmers have the freedom to focus more clearly on exploiting new farming opportunities, including agricultural production for non-food use, while retaining their single payment.

She said her department had a strong interest in bio-energy and, in particular, the market opportunities in purpose-grown energy crops for use as a renewable source of energy in the heat, electricity and liquid bio-fuels markets.

The funding includes €8 million for a bio-energy scheme to encourage farmers to grow miscanthus and willow.

Some €6m is being provided for a national payment of €80 per hectare, which will be paid as a top-up to the €45 EU premium available under the EU Energy Crops Scheme.

Ms Wallace said she was confident this package of measures would help to kick-start production of energy crops at farm level.

She said bio-energy can contribute to a range of policy objectives, including security of energy supplies, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and new markets for agricultural production.