Vol. 481 No. 1
126 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has to encourage the use of set-aside land for growing of crops for non-food purposes, including bio-fuel crops for the production of energy; and the plans, if any, he has to encourage the identification of new markets for such crops. [15447/97]
It is my policy to encourage the growing of tillage crops for non-food purposes on set-aside land so as to maximise the potential of our natural resources and enhance the rural economy.
Teagasc, the body responsible for research in agriculture and food, is involved in an ongoing examination of the potential for producing tillage crops for non-food purposes. For example, work is being done in the area of the production of bio-fuels from plant oil and from a range of crops including wheat, sugar beef and grass. Last year over 70 farmers in Ireland were involved in growing non-food crops for use in the pharmaceutical industry in the UK.
It is, of course, a matter for each farmer who produces such crops to ensure that industrial markets are secured for the crops.
