British Government holds key to sustainable farming

The British Government holds the key to the future of sustainable farming in Britain, says NFU President, Tim Bennett.

Speaking at the LADiDA Dinner* held on Tuesday (18 January) in Lincoln, Mr Bennett told the 245 assembled guests that 2005 held many challenges, but also many opportunities for the country's farmers.

"This year Britain holds the presidencies of both the G8 group of wealthy nations and the EU, and our Prime Minister has made no secret of his wish to champion the issue of climate change. Tony Blair and his ministers will be in a very influential position on the world stage where they can make progress in replacing fossil fuels with alternative energy and fuel sources.

"As the world faces the implications of climate change, the opportunity for Britain's farmers to be at the forefront of the issue is a priority for NFU. We can grow crops to fuel power stations instead of gas, oil and coal. We can grow crops that can be used to fuel cars and lorries. And we can grow crops that can be turned into many different chemicals in manufacturing and the petro-chemical industry; if we are given the opportunity. Mr Blair and his ministers have that opportunity to make great strides, or at least to catch up with other parts of the EU in the use of non-fossil fuels."

NFU has been lobbying for concessions in road fuel duty for several years, and is currently lobbying Government to encourage the sustainable production of biodiesel from oilseed rape and bioethanol from wheat and sugar beet.

NFU is also asking Government for grant aid to set up biodiesel and bioethanol production plants in areas of the country where sufficient areas of crops for the feedstocks are grown.