Call for Farmers to Lead the Way in Renewable Energy
Posted on: Thursday, 14 July 2005, 09:00 CDT
FARMERS should grow more green crops to boost renewable energy, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said yesterday.
The association is using the Great Yorkshire Show to launch a homegrown fuels campaign.
It said farmers could contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases and create jobs and investment, and it called on the Government to make better use of renewable energy.
The campaign is backed by a survey conducted by ICM that found 78 per cent of people favoured the use of renewable energy rather than fossil fuels to run cars and power homes.
About 84 per cent were against importing green fuel.
The CLA said many farmers could easily grow green, clean, renewable energy crops such as oil seed rape for biodiesel, and wheat, sugarbeet and maize for bio-ethenol.
Power can also be generated from biomass energy crops such as fast-growing willow and elephant grass.
The CLA launched a report, Renewable Energy: More Than Wind? at the show, along with the homegrown fuel campaign, which is lobbying MPs. The report has also been presented at the annual conference of the Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group. It called for changes to tax, planning rules and funding schemes.
CLA deputy president David Sursdon said: "Farmers make a significant contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gases without endangering the economy.
"We could create new jobs and investment, especially in rural areas. Wind power will not be enough. The Government could give practical help and encourage a much broader-based renewable energy sector.
"At this turning point for UK agriculture, there is an enormous opportunity of benefit to both the economy and the environment to boost our biofuels sector.
"All of us are confronted by a stark challenge. On current trends, the UK will miss its greenhouse gas target.
"Our report examines all the sources of renewable energy, including biomass, ground source heat, hydro, solar and wind.
"It sets out practical recommendations for creating a thriving and more broadly based renewable energy sector within the UK."
Source: Northern Echo
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