§ Mr. SpellerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the European Community sources of grant or loan or technical assistance for the conversion of low-grade agricultural land into the production of arable wood crops;
(2) what European Community assistance is available for farmers or landowners who seek to plant arable wood crops for cropping as a fuel feedstock and for conversion to electricity.
§ Mr. RyderAs part of the set-aside scheme, which is a national scheme implementing European Community legislation, farmers and landowners may plant trees for short rotation energy coppice under the non-agricultural use option. The rate of premium is £150 per hectare (£130 per hectare in less-favoured areas).
There are also provisions in Council regulations (EC) 797/85 as amended for a Community contribution towards member states' expenditure on afforestation of agricultural land subject to various conditions. There are no specific provisions for Community aid towards production specifically of crops for fuel.
§ Mr. SpellerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what help he will give to farmers or landowners who seek to plant arable wood crops for cropping as a fuel feedstock and for conversion to electricity; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ryder[holding answer 22 February 1989]: Assessment of the technical and economic feasibility of using such arable crops for fuel feedstocks or for conversion to electricity is primarily a matter for the Secretary of State for Energy. However, under the set-aside scheme introduced by my Department last year, aid is available for the planting of trees as short rotation energy coppice on land taken out of arable use.