Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

According to the EU directive governing this area, 2% of all transport fuel sold in the country must be biofuel by the end of the year. The ultimate target is 20%, to be achieved by 2020. Is the Minister satisfied that domestic production and processing of the relevant crops will meet that demand? The success of the initiatives producing rapeseed oil in Wexford proves that there is massive potential for farmers under the new dispensation resulting from the introduction of the single farm payment. Will the Minister clarify the position on the use of sugar beet? As he said in his reply, sugar beet does not qualify as an agricultural raw material for which the grant of €45 per hectare can be claimed. Given the current crisis in the sugar beet sector, particularly the closing of the processing plant in Carlow and the added cost accruing on sugar beet producers because of their having to transport their raw material to Mallow, will the Minister consider allocating a grant to those who are prepared to use their land to produce sugar beet or other crops to meet the target set for 2020?

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