Welsh Dairy farmers told they could offer part of the solution to Climate Change problem

Anaerobic Digestion is a rural economic diversification opportunity for farmers as well as part of the solution to the world’s climate change problem. Members of NFU Cymru’s Milk Board have been told by Dr Jonathan Scurlock, the NFU’s Chief Renewable Energy and Climate Change Adviser.

Dr Scurlock said, ’There are still only approximately 65 non-sludge Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants in Britain, whereas in Germany, by the end of 2011 there will probably be almost 7,000. The NFU’s ambition is that the UK will have 1,000 AD plants on farm by 2020. Welsh dairy farmers should look at anaerobic digestion as potentially adding value to their manure and slurries.

’Admittedly, AD is more complex than the other renewable options. Wind and solar are still very much top of the renewable projects list but there are some very good examples of how AD is working on farms already across the UK.’

NFU Cymru Deputy President Stephen James thanked Dr Scurlock for his explanation of the renewable energy options open to dairy farmers and said he hoped that NFU Cymru members would make use of the Union’s new Farm Energy Service when it is launched in the New Year.