Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food recognises the key role that farmers can play in providing feedstocks for biofuel and biomass production. Our role is to support the supply side of the market by assisting farmers to grow energy crops. In accordance with the national bioenergy action plan, we are providing a number of incentives to improve the profitability of growing energy crops.

In 2007, we introduced a bioenergy scheme to encourage farmers to plant miscanthus and willow for bioenergy purposes. Aid is available to cover 50% of establishment costs, subject to a maximum payment of €1,450 per hectare. The scheme has generated considerable interest with more than 1,800 hectares planted so far. The third phase was launched recently to aid the planting of a further 1,800 hectares in 2009. Further supports for energy crop production include EU and national premiums worth €125 per hectare. Aid for energy crop production is also available under the rural environment protection scheme and the disadvantaged areas scheme, subject to some restrictions on the areas planted. As a further support measure, land planted with energy crops can qualify for the single farm payment.

The Department is also funding research projects that relate directly to energy crops through the research stimulus fund programme. The aim of this research is to identify plant varieties and crop production systems that are most suited in the Irish context. Teagasc is also assisting farmers in energy crop cultivation. It is carrying out research on growing energy crops at the Oak Park Crops Research Centre and it provides technical advice to landowners on how best to grow energy crops. In 2008, it published a farm diversification manual providing detailed technical advice on energy crop cultivation. Together with Teagasc, my Department co-funded an educational DVD to advise farmers on planting and harvesting willow and miscanthus. I can obtain a copy of that DVD for the Deputy if would like it.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

These measures are intended to complement the demand side schemes introduced by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to promote the use of biofuels in the Irish transport market. The mineral oil tax relief scheme valued at €205 million and the proposed biofuel obligation scheme should provide an additional stimulus for the production of energy crops.

The cultivation of energy crops provides an alternative land use option for farmers and is part of the solution to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. I am confident that the measures introduced by my Department will assist farmers in realising the many opportunities to grow energy crops.

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