FG reveal plans to boost bio fuel industry

Petrol and diesel sold in Ireland will by law have to contain a blend of fuel from renewable sources if Fine Gael wins the next election, it was revealed today.

The party Agriculture and Food spokesman Denis Naughten told their annual conference in Dublin the growth of energy crops was an untapped sector which offered Irish farmers huge potential returns.

“There has never been a better time for Irish farmers to become involved in the growth and processing of bio fuels.

“Crude oil prices have doubled oer the past year, with Ireland now facing fines of up to €400m under the Kyoto Protocol, while the security of our energy supplies are under threat,” he said.

Before the energy crop sector could get on its feet it was vital that supports and markets for energy crops was in place to kick start the industry, he stressed.

Fine Gael would establish the necessary conditions by ensuring the industry thrived.

The key proposal involved “creating a market for bio fuels by the removal of excise duty on bio fuel and legislating that all motor fuels must include a blend of fuel from renewable sources,” he said.

Mr Naughten added: “All petrol sold will include a 5% bio ethanol mix and all diesels would contain a 2% bio diesel mix.”

There would also be reform of existing Energy Crop Scheme and seed capital for producer groups that would consist of up to 50% of the cost of setting up a group – to a maximum of €300,000 per group.

He also flagged the establishment of an Office of the Agricultural Ombudsman which would take on the duties of the existing Appeals Office and expand them to include dealing with redress to the public for unfair treatment by the Department of Agriculture and its agencies.

Mr Naughten hit out at the government accusing them of having negotiated away the livelihoods of farmers without lifting a hand to address the structural problems within the current system.

“The fact is that during this Government’s watch agriculture and food production has declined and farm communities are collapsing,” he said.

The government was accused of being more interested in attracting foreign investment than supporting home-grown employers.

“Is it any wonder we have seven farmers a day exiting the land,” he asked.

Mr Naughten singled out labelling of food as another issue to be addressed.

“How can we continue to tolerate a situation whereby beef is imported from Brazil, lamb from New Zealand, chicken from Asia, vegetables from Israel and being passed off as Irish due to loopholes in our food labelling laws,” he said.

He also signalled plans for a single super food agency which would co-ordinate and oversee all aspects of the Irish food industry instead of the plethora of current government bodies and agencies.

The new agency would also develop a new single Irish food label – to be known as Green Ireland – which would be used to promote all home produced goods, he said,.