Energy crop production could solve agricultural woes, says FG senator

THE potential to meet the challenges facing the agricultural sector by producing energy crops is enormous, according to Fine Gael senator Paul Bradford.

He said the domestic agriculture industry faces big challenges ahead. Farm incomes have reduced significantly. Dairy prices have almost fallen through the floor and tillage prices have been disastrous. At the same time there is a need to produce energy crops. Marrying these two problems could result in solving Ireland’s agricultural needs.

“We must ask ourselves how we can use the significant European Union funding available to Ireland to keep farmers farming and the land productive,” he said.