Biomass growers criticise grant delays

FARMERS have accused the Department of Agriculture of dragging its feet in paying the first seventy-five per cent instalment of energy crop establishment grants.

Growers from various parts of Munster, who met in Newcastlewest, Co Limerick, said they had incurred major expenses in growing miscanthus but were now frustrated with the delays in grant aid payments.

Some growers said they planted miscanthus in 2006 in the belief that grant aid was coming down the track. They felt there should be some help as they were the pioneers of the biomass project.

Ronan Madigan, one of those who planted last year, said they were on a learning curve at the time. They gathered vital information and research, which enabled a more successful establishment in 2007.

“It is only right that the Department should recognise this leap of faith and help us with those initial costs, if they are serious about promoting this industry,” he said.

J J Kavanagh, IFA Bio-Energy Project Team Leader, said he always believed there should be some support for the pioneers who planted in 2006.

“This is a fledgling industry that must be supported if it is to succeed,” he said, stressing that without farmers, like the miscanthus growers, leading the way the Government could forget about promoting energy crops.”