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Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the
Marine, has announced the launch of the 2012 Bioenergy Scheme
to grant aid the planting of willow and miscanthus crops as
part of the re-opening of a range of Targeted Agriculture
Modernisation Measures.
The Bioenergy Schemes have supported the planting of
over 3,000 hectares of energy crops since 2007.
Minister Coveney said - "The 2012 scheme will consolidate
the progress made since 2007 in developing the energy crops
sector in Ireland and has the potential to support in the
region of 1,400 additional hectares in 2012. 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.
"I have decided to amend the terms and conditions of the
scheme so that participants are no longer required to maintain
the crop for seven years as a condition of receiving grant-aid.
I think that the removal of this condition should help to
make the scheme more attractive to farmers without reducing
their commitment to establishing and properly managing the
crop once they make the planting investment.
"Taken together with the anticipated boost to demand
from the proposed REFIT tariffs for biomass, I am confident
that the scheme in 2012 will lead to increased interest from
farmers who wish to become involved in energy crop production."
The closing date for submission of applications for pre-planting
approval is Wednesday 18th January 2012.
Details of the 2012 Bioenergy Scheme and application forms
can be obtained from Biofuels Policy Unit, Department of Agriculture,
Food and the Marine, Kea-Lew Business Park, Mountrath Road,
Portlaoise, Co. Laois - Telephone: 057-8692231/8692240 or
at www.agriculture.gov.ie
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