Claim renewable crop growers here at disadvantage to those in North

FARMERS in the Republic are at a competitive disadvantage compared to renewable crop growers in the North, according to one leading miscanthus grower.

Joe Hogan, managing director of Limerick-based JHM Crops, wants the Government to deliver on a promise from its predecessor to boost its Refit Tariff from 6.5c/GJ (cent per Gigajoule) to 9.5c/GJ.

German farmers receive a 22c/GJ Refit support, while Northern Ireland last week introduced a new Renewables Obligation Order to support electricity generation from anaerobic digestion, ie biomass.