Vol. 485 No. 4
41 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total payments made to farmers under the setaside scheme since the scheme was introduced; the top ten payments under the setaside scheme in 1997; the consideration, if any, which has been given for utilisation of this land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23177/97]
The total payments made to farmers under the setaside scheme to date amount to £45.3 million. The top ten payment amounts in respect of setaside in 1997 are as follows: £22,369.06, £20,029.40, £18,477.73, £16,662.24, £16,065.18, £15,915.91, £15,853.43, £15,433.40, £14,954.36, £14,812.04.
As regards the utilisation of this land, it is my policy to encourage the growing of crops for nonfood purposes on setaside land to maximise the potential for our natural resources and enhance the rural economy. In this connection Teagasc, the body responsible for research in agriculture and food products, is examining the possibility of producing biofuels from plant oil and from a range of crops including wheat, sugar beet and grass.
