Landowners advised to apply now for energy crops scheme establishment grants

The Rural Development Service today advised landowners who are interested in applying for an Energy Crops Scheme (ECS) Establishment Grant with the intention of planting the crops in 2007 and 2008 to submit their applications by 31 July 2006.

This announcement clarifies the statement made in the Government's Response to the Biomass Task Force Report that "the existing Energy Crops Scheme will close to new applications in summer of 2006".

Trevor Mansfield of the RDS Strategic Delivery Team explained:

"The Energy Crops Scheme is part of the England Rural Development Programme, which closes at the end of 2006. We expect some support for energy crops to feature in the next Rural Development Programme, which runs from 2007 to 2013, but this is subject to European Commission approval and we can't guarantee if and when this will be forthcoming, or which costs will be eligible or measures approved.

To receive funding under the current arrangements, landowners need to submit their applications, together with supporting documentation, in time for approval to be granted during the current Programme.

ECS Establishment Grant applications require environmental assessments to be carried out. This takes time and means that the usual processing time for applications is up to 4 months. That's why we're setting a 31 July deadline for applications to allow for any complications that might arise.

Customers who are thinking of applying for an ECS Establishment Grant are advised to contact their local RDS office as soon as possible to obtain an application pack.