IFA establishes project to study alternative land use
The team, set up by president Padraig Walshe, will research various potential energy crops and related issues and initially report back to the IFA executive council by the end of the year.
“With the closure of the sugar beet industry, an increasing amount of Irish land resources will become available for alternative uses, including bio-energy.
“Renewable energy sources meet only 2% of Ireland’s total energy consumption,” he said.
Mr Walshe said growing energy crops from a farming perspective will only have a viable future if they provide an economic return on investment and labour, and if the prospect of this return is secure into the future.
IFA general secretary Michael Berkery said the team will have the organisation’s full support.
