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Brendan Smith TD, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and
Food, has announced the commencement of a new Bioenergy Scheme
to grant aid the planting of willow and miscanthus
crops over the period 2010 to 2012.
The Scheme was initially launched on a pilot basis in 2007
and supported the planting of 2,500 hectares by the end of
2009. The new Scheme is part of the Department's revised Rural
Development Programme, which is due to be formally approved
by the EU Commission in the near future.
Announcing the Scheme, the Minister said - "The new Scheme
will consolidate progress made during the three years of the
pilot phase in developing a biomass crops sector in Ireland.
I am pleased to confirm that €1 million is being made available
to support the planting of a further 1,000 hectares in 2010.
"The Scheme is now open for applications and interested
farmers can apply for establishment grants of up to €1,300
per hectare to cover 50% of the costs of establishing these
crops."
The closing date for submission of applications for pre-planting
approval is Wednesday 31st March 2010.
Details of the Bioenergy Scheme and application forms can
be obtained from - Biofuels Policy Unit, Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food, Kea-Lew Business Park, Mountrath Road,
Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Telephone 057-8692231/8692240
or - Click
Here
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