Welsh call for bio-fuel support
THE NFU in Wales is calling for more support to be made available to producers of bio-fuel crops to help ‘kick-start’ alternative methods of energy production.
Stephen James, chairman of NFU Cymru in Pembrokeshire, has written to the Welsh assembly to say that biofuels could provide a real alternative to farmers.
He said: "NFU Cymru believes biofuels offer an exciting opportunity for farmers to develop new land use and market opportunities post CAP reform.
"Biomass production for example provides Welsh agriculture with a chance to become involved in electricity and heat generation at the same time as helping to tackle climate change."
The UK Government sees biomass-derived energy as one of the ways that it can achieve its obligations to the Kyoto Climate Change Protocol of reducing gas emissions.
In England an Energy Crops Scheme is available that provides a planting and establishment grant of £920 per hectare for Miscanthus and £1,000 per hectare for planting Short Rotation Coppicing Willow.
"We ask that the Welsh Assembly Government consider making money available to allow a similar grant scheme to the one in England be set up in Wales," Stephen James said.
"This would give the industry the kick start that it needs and NFU Cymru sees this as a real opportunity to establish a vibrant new environmentally sustainable industry in Wales."
Stephen James, chairman of NFU Cymru in Pembrokeshire, has written to the Welsh assembly to say that biofuels could provide a real alternative to farmers.
He said: "NFU Cymru believes biofuels offer an exciting opportunity for farmers to develop new land use and market opportunities post CAP reform.
"Biomass production for example provides Welsh agriculture with a chance to become involved in electricity and heat generation at the same time as helping to tackle climate change."
The UK Government sees biomass-derived energy as one of the ways that it can achieve its obligations to the Kyoto Climate Change Protocol of reducing gas emissions.
In England an Energy Crops Scheme is available that provides a planting and establishment grant of £920 per hectare for Miscanthus and £1,000 per hectare for planting Short Rotation Coppicing Willow.
"We ask that the Welsh Assembly Government consider making money available to allow a similar grant scheme to the one in England be set up in Wales," Stephen James said.
"This would give the industry the kick start that it needs and NFU Cymru sees this as a real opportunity to establish a vibrant new environmentally sustainable industry in Wales."
posted by Craig McGinty at 24.4.05
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