IFA wants Govt to aid farmers in energy crop growth
24/04/2006 - 14:40:03The Irish Farmers Association has called on the government to provide incentives for farmers to grow energy crops.
It follows concern over our dependency on imported fuel as oil prices reached record highs last week.
The IFA said thousands farmers are capable of creating bio-fuel and providing us with renewable sources of energy.
President Padraig Walshe asked that farmers get €125 euro per hectare of energy crops:
He said: "About 90% of our energy is imported at this stage. I believe the government can help to meet it's commitment by promoting alternative crops for energy. I think the government has to play it's roll in that because if it doesn't give a long-term commitment, it won't be on for farmers to put crops in the ground that are going to be costly to them."
