IFA encourages biofuel switch

Kildare: IFA president John Dillon has urged the Government to provide incentives to assist the development of biofuel as an alternative energy.

Mr Dillon said with oil prices at €60 a barrel and a strengthening dollar, there is a pressing need for action on alternatives. An exemption from excise and tax incentives are crucial if the Government is serious about fulfilling our commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.

“Farmers who want to develop biofuel crops must be provided with an environment which encourages an increase in land use,” he said.

Another IFA man Raymond O’Malley said there is a significant benefit to the environment as biofuel is carbon neutral. “Current land use in this country is only 6% of the target under the EU directive and this must be rectified. We should be striving to have 100,000 acres,” he said.

Mr Dillon will open a conference in a fortnight organised by IFA Skillnet to look at opportunities for biofuel crops. A panel will address the critical issues surrounding biofuel at the conference in the Stand House Hotel in the Curragh on July 11.

Pearse Buckley of Sustainable Energy Ireland, Paul Hodson from the Energy and Transport Directorate General of the EU Commission and Paddy Lambert of Biogreen Ltd will be among the speakers.

Meanwhile, Green Party deputy leader Cllr Mary White has argued there is a solution to the crisis facing the sugar industry.

“Now is the time for action to ensure the threatened sugar industry is turned into a thriving bioethanol industry providing work, employment and cleaner fuel,” she said.