Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is also part of the compensation package that we hope to be able to provide to farmers for those restrictions to protect valuable wildlife. That is an important part of farming here and people need to understand it. Having said that, I intend to take the significant opportunities that are available in the different sectors. Last week, we launched an energy crops support package for farmers who are willing to plant wood coppice, which is basically willow. It suits certain types of land and can produce a very profitable margin if it is grown correctly and in the right proximity to where it is to be used and burned. We are supporting all these sectors. Energy crops will be part of the agrifood story in Ireland.

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