Tony Killeen
Question:90 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the support, if any, he is giving to research on the plant camelina sativa. [10700/95]
Written Answers. - Plant Research.
My Department is interested in promoting the non-food use of farm crops, in order to maximise the potential of our natural resources and enhance the rural economy. The production of bio-diesel from oilseeds grown on set-aside ground is of particular interest. Camelina sativa is an oilseed crop which has been relatively unexplored to date. Teagasc has an ongoing research programme with a view to establishing its yield potential and quantity and quality of the oil.
Results to date indicate that the crop has good yield potential in Ireland and that it could be used for food and non-food purposes including biofuel. Camelina sativa has advantages over rapeseed in respect of its agronomic characteristics and oil quality. Its ability to produce acceptable yields with relatively low fertiliser and chemical inputs is a distinct advantage. In general it is one of the most promising alternative crops which are presently under investigation by Teagasc.