The Bio-Energy (Willow) scheme has officially opened.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, has announced the opening following extensive discussions with the EU Commission over the last few months.

Minister Coveney said: "Given the importance of renewable sources of energy I am delighted to support the provision of establishment grants for the growing of willow to produce Biomass. The funding being made available for Spring planting will help to contribute to meeting renewable energy targets and also has the added benefit of providing an alternative land use and income source for individual farmers, with the potential for additional employment in rural areas as supply chains develop and increasing areas of energy crops are established."

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The scheme builds on previous Bio-Energy Schemes and for 2015 will focus exclusively on the growing of willow.

(CD)