"Let farmers help save the planet"

8.47.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 25th Jan 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has expressed her concern at the lack of support for Welsh farmers wishing to grow energy crops.

Grants are available to farmers in England who wish to diversify in this way, but there is no such equivalent scheme in Wales.

Ms Williams said: "We should be investing unspent government farming funds in an energy-crops scheme to develop the next source of power generation. Generating energy from waste wood and energy crops could pay major dividends for the Welsh economy. The Labour Assembly Government has so far failed to reap this potential.

"Investing in energy crops could generate much needed wealth in the rural economy. If we grasp this opportunity there can be a future where farmers are providing the fuel for our heating systems, our cars and tractors. It is estimated that Wales could generate 10% of its energy from biomass by 2020. I support that target and would support using the modulated funds available to invest in an energy-crops scheme to help reach it."