P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of hectares planted in the production of biofuels; the breakdown of the crops planted; the number of hectares of each he expects to plant in 2010; the breakdown of the crops planted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11983/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the area of land currently dedicated to the growing of various forms of biofuels; the degree to which production is in line with projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12182/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 196 together.

Less than 0.2% of the agricultural land in Ireland is under non-food crops made up of oilseeds, miscanthus, willow and small quantities of wheat and oats used for energy purposes. The table below details the areas sown between 2007 and 2009 in hectares.

As the table shows, production has concentrated on the cultivation of oilseeds, willow and miscanthus. Oilseed rape is traditionally grown in Ireland as a break crop in a one-in-four year rotation for use in the biofuel, food and animal feed markets. Willow and miscanthus crops produce pellet and wood chip materials to generate heat and power in the domestic and commercial sectors. It is anticipated that 1,000 ha of willow and miscanthus will be planted in 2010 under the new round of the Bioenergy Scheme.

The sector is still in the early stages of development. In general, the production of energy crops will be sustainable in the longer term if the economic returns are comparable with those offered by traditional farm enterprises. Much will depend on profitability at farm level and on the rate of development of production and consumption patterns for bioenergy feedstocks.