Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the plans in place to deliver a strategy developing an agri-renewable industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45305/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The recently published Food Harvest 2020 strategy includes recommendations for the further development of renewable energy initiatives in the Agriculture Sector to build on the well established Bioenergy Scheme initiative in place since 2007.

The pilot Bioenergy Scheme ran from 2007-2009 and has been succeeded by the Bioenergy Scheme 2010-2012 which was launched in February 2010. The purpose of the Scheme is to encourage farmers to grow the energy crops willow and miscanthus. From 2007 to 2010 the Bioenergy Schemes have supported the planting of up to 3,000 hectares of bioenergy crops. The Bioenergy Scheme 2010-2012 is provided for in the Rural Development Programme and is co-funded by my Department and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The Scheme provides a once-off capital grant of up to a maximum of €1,300 per hectare to aid 50% of crop establishment costs.

The Bioenergy Scheme for 2011 was launched on 16th November 2010, with a closing date of 19th January 2011. Based on contacts with the key players in the industry the indications are that there will be considerable interest in the 2011 scheme. The early launch date will be welcomed by the industry, as will the closing date of 19th January. There is sufficient funding currently available to support the planting of up to 1,800 hectares in 2011.

Food Harvest 2020 sets out recommendations for the further development of renewable energy initiatives in the Agriculture Sector, including:

Developing pilot projects and a pilot forum on renewable energy, including a regional anaerobic digester for farm and industry waste;

Addressing the barriers that exist to connections to the electricity grid for bioenergy products;

Farm-level developments such as installation of renewable energy generators (wind/solar).

My Department is working with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and other relevant interested parties to develop these initiatives.