FARMED fuels from the fields of Yorkshire could easily make a massive contribution to the nation's energy needs.
According to the Country Land and Business Association, however, the Government's Energy White Paper has forgotten their enormous potential. "Only days after Environment Minister Michael Meacher visited a farm near Wetherby and saw willow being harvested there for an up-and-running office complex's heating system, there's little mention of energy crops for biomass, biodiesel and bioethanol," said Dorothy Fairburn, regional director.
Farmed fuels were viable and were in use already in Britain but not to the extent they are in the USA, where biofuel is mainstream, and Germany, where biofuel is duty-free.
"In this country, Yorkshire is leading the way in growing energy crops such as oilseed rape, wheat, sugar beet and maize,' said Miss Fairburn. "More willow has been grown in the region for biofuel than anywhere else in the UK - more than 1,300 hectares - and the only harvesting machine in the Northern hemisphere was in action here last week.
"There is much talk of wind, wave and nuclear power, but the CLA believes the rural economy can play a key role in the reduction of greenhouse gasses."
Miss Fairburn said the White Paper was full of aspirations and warm words but that was not enough. All forms of renewable energy were required now.
"Energy crops remove carbon from the atmosphere, provide wildlife habitat, and increase jobs in the countryside," she said. "Many food crops are in surplus,yet it has been estimated that, using technology now available, a quarter of our land could produce all the nation's transport fuels.
"The CLA urges the Government, energy companies, the public and farmers to recognise the logical links between agriculture, forestry, energy and the environment
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