NFU welcomes new era of renewable energy opportunities for agriculture

The NFU has warmly welcomed today's announcement of ambitious EU renewable energy targets, part of a package of European measures to tackle climate change. The plans to put Europe at the heart of the forthcoming "low-carbon age" will see Britain's use of renewable energy (including electricity, heating and transport) rise dramatically from around two per cent to 15 per cent by the year 2020.

"Farmers are ready and willing to play our part in the coming renewable energy boom", said NFU President Peter Kendall. "With 75 per cent of national land area under our management, and an abundance of natural energy resources which we can harness, it is our ambition that every farmer should have the opportunity to export energy services to the local and national economy."

NFU chief advisor on renewable energy and climate change Jonathan Scurlock added: "Harnessing renewable energy can help with managing input costs, contribute to farm diversification and sustain jobs in the rural economy. The NFU is convinced that land-based renewable technologies like anaerobic biogas digesters, biomass power stations, biofuels, wind power and solar energy will add value to the agricultural sector over the next ten years, while demonstrating how farmers provide part of the solution to the problem of climate change."

The 2020 target includes a binding commitment to a 10 per cent biofuel contribution to road transport fuels, a measure that sends a much-needed long-term signal to investors in this industry. "We are pleased the European Commission has committed itself to a firm biofuels target, subject to guarantees of sustainability", added Mr Kendall.

The NFU is now calling upon government to put in place a range of policy measures to ensure that our sector can play its part - in meeting these ambitious new renewable energy targets, creating new business opportunities and contributing to the international action to protect our planet.