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Sugar Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2020

Thursday, 12 November 2020

Questions (359)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

359. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent of research done into the use of growing sugar beet as a rotational crop and the possible production of bioethanol; the extent of such production at present; the viability or otherwise of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36105/20]

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Written answers

Indigenous renewable energy plays a vital role in our domestic fuel mix and will become even more important in the context of reducing our reliance on imported fuels and in meeting our challenging renewable energy targets for 2020 and 2030 and decarbonising our energy systems by 2050. The agriculture sector has a key role to play in the supply of bioenergy feedstocks as a positive contribution to the decarbonisation of energy systems through the displacement of fossil fuels and energy intensive materials. The 5th progress report of the National Renewable Energy Action Plan outlines in detail the development and share of biofuels made from wastes, residues, non-food cellulosic material, and ligno-cellulosic material.

In terms of the extent of production of beet, research has shown that prior to the sugar industry being decommissioned, sugar beet was the main break crop of choice on many tillage farms. It’s superior profitability relative to other crops was a significant factor in its selection as a break crop. Since the sugar industry was decommissioned, the area of beet (fodder beet and sugar beet) has declined; however, it has stabilised at between 8,000 and 10,000 hectares in the last 5 years. Beet is now grown due to demand for highly palatable, high energy feed in ruminant diets but is still used as a break crop in tillage rotations.

In 2020, some 8,268 hectares of beet (primarily fodder beet and some sugar beet) was declared to my Department under the Basic Payment Scheme. Other break crops are now been grown such as maize, protein crops (mainly beans) and oilseed rape.

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