Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Brendan Smith, has announced the launch of a new Bioenergy Scheme to incentivise the planting of willow and miscanthus crops over the period 2010 to 2012.
The scheme was originally conducted on a pilot basis in 2007, supporting the planting of 2,500 hectares by the end of 2009.
Pat Farrelly of agricultural contractors, Farrelly Brothers, Carnaross, with Minister Brendan Smith.
It is part of the Department's revised Rural Development Programme, which is due to be formally approved by the EU Commission in the near future.
Announcing the project, the Minister said, "The new scheme will consolidate progress made during the three years of the pilot phase in developing a biomass crops sector in Ireland. I am pleased to confirm that €1m is being made available to support the planting of a further 1,000 hectares in 2010. The scheme is now open for applications and interested farmers can apply for establishment grants of up to €1,300 per hectare to cover 50% of the costs of establishing these crops."
The closing date for submission of applications for pre-planting approval is Wednesday 31 March 2010.
Details of the Bioenergy Scheme and application forms can be obtained from Biofuels Policy Unit, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Kea-Lew Business Park, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Telephone 057 8692231/8692240 or at
www.agriculture.gov.ie.
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