€2 million available to support planting of miscanthus and willow

A TOTAL of €2 million is being made available in 2009 to support the planting of a further 1,800 hectares of miscanthus and willow.

Fisheries and Forestry Minister Tony Killeen confirmed the funding when he announced that the third phase of the bioenergy scheme had started.

He said the scheme is now open for applications and interested farmers can apply for establishment grants of up to €1,450 per hectare to cover 50% of the costs of establishing these crops.