North West farmers determined to supply green fuels
The answer to rocketing fuel prices and uncertain supply lies in the heart of the British countryside, according to the NFU.
The NFU is calling for positive encouragement from Government to ensure more renewable energy is sourced straight from UK farms. The organisation is urging ministers to take advantage of crop supplies, such as wheat and sugar beet, to make renewable biofuels.
In the report, the NFU is recommending the introduction of a capital grants scheme to support and develop biofuel and biomass production plants. Simple grants of 40 per cent are being called for over a period of five years to kick-start demand for biomass across society.
NFU North West's policy adviser for combinable crops, Rowena Hammon, said: "This is a very important issue and the NFU even discussed it with the Prime Minister yesterday.
"Fuel costs are rising and something needs to be done. Biofuel and biomass production offer farmers the opportunity to help save the environment whilst also opening up a potentially lucrative market for them at the same time."
In order to help unlock the potential of the biofuels market, the NFU in the North West have organised an open NFU Combinable Crops Board meeting on Wednesday 10 May at 7.30pm at the NFU Regional Office in Skelmersdale, Lancashire.
The meeting will focus on the biofuels market and the opportunities available for farmers in the North West region.
With guest speakers from Cargills and HGCA, this meeting will address the current situation and provide an update on biofuels. There will also be more information from Mr Jon Duffy who is the grain director for Frontier Agriculture which is part of Cargill. He will talk about how Cargills' Cerestar industrial alcohol making plant in Manchester is going to cease using imported starch in preference for UK wheat and the opportunities this may present for North West growers.
Rowena Hammon added: "This is a great chance for North West farmers to discuss this potential market and have their questions or issues answered."
To ensure green energy is produced in the UK, the NFU also wants to see a Carbon Accreditation scheme implemented to link with current Farm Assurance schemes.
This will guarantee biomass and biofuels are produced from a renewable source, securing the future market and safeguarding against untraceable imports.
In addition the NFU is supporting EU calls for 20 per cent of its energy needs to be met through renewable energy by the year 2020. This links with the UK Government's own target of five per cent of transport fuels to be sourced from renewable energy by the year 2010.
NFU President Peter Kendall said: "UK agriculture is in a pivotal position to meet the challenge of renewable fuels domestically and to help reduce the carbon emissions of the road transport sector. The UK must invest now or it will not be in a position to benefit from future technologies. The investment will go to those countries with the infrastructure already in place and with proven biofuel industries."
