CLA North East says red tape will deter sustainable energy production and waste management

Draft regulations produced by Defra and the Environment Agency have ignored the views of the agricultural industry and would deter farmers from installing anaerobic digestors which can turn farm waste into valuable energy, according to the CLA.

The CLA's rural economy experts say that the proposed size of 1250 cubic meters for holding tanks allowed to be used to store manures and crops for on-farm biogas production without a storage permit is too small. This will force farmers to apply for full permits and will undoubtedly be a deterrent to setting up such installations.

Angus Collingwood-Cameron, Director CLA North East, said: "With permits costing thousands of pounds, the industry as a whole had called for this limit to be far higher. We said that storage facilities could go up to 3,000 cubic metres before needing a full permit.

"Defra and the Environment Agency have ignored these practical and informed views. It could mean that almost every biogas plant installation will need a permit. The CLA will be making it clear to Government that many farms already have existing slurry and manure storage facilities much bigger than the 1,250 cubic metres suggested in the draft regulations.

"What is the point of holding consultations if Government ignores the advice they are given by those who understand the practicalities? What is the point of one Government department trying to encourage renewable energy production, while another Government department simply obstructs the initiative with excessive regulation?"Two of the threats facing society are where our energy will come from, and what we will do with our waste. Land managers have a process that can address both, yet Government appears to be actively discouraging us. This cannot be what they intended."