Renew On Line (UK) 29

Extracts from the Nov-Dec 2000 edition of Renew
These extracts only represent about 25% of it

MAFF on Energy Crops

MAFF, the Ministry for Agriculture Fisheries and Food has now published details of the changes to its proposed £30m Energy Crops support scheme, as a result of the recent consultation. These are:

1. The establishment grant for miscanthus is increased to £920 per hectare.

2. The whole of the establishment grants for energy crops will be paid in full on the establishment of a crop. Previously it was proposed to withhold 20% of the establishment grant until the first harvest had been delivered to the end user.

3. There has been some back-sliding on project catchment areas. Previously MAFF proposed that grant’s be paid for plantings within a 25 miles radius of projects. This has been overturned, and it seems that more than 25 miles will be allowed in certain cases, but for small-scale heat and CHP projects the radius limit will be 10 miles.

Although a lot of the suggestions from the consultation have been either ignored or turned down, the changes listed above will no doubt be welcomed by the industry, particularly no 2. Environmental lobbies however may not be too pleased with the transport implications of number 3.