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CLA North says red tape will deter sustainable energy production and waste management Draft regulations produced by Defra and Environment Agency have ignored the views of the industry and would deter farmers from installing anaerobic digestors which turn farm waste into valuable energy, says the CLA.
The CLA's rural economy experts say that the proposed size of holding tanks used to store manures and crops for on-farm biogas production is too small. This will force farmers to apply for full permits and will undoubtedly be a deterrent to setting up such installations.
Douglas Chalmers, Director CLA North, said: "With permits costing thousands of pounds, the industry as a whole had called for this limit to be far higher. We said that plants could go up to 3,000 cubic metres before needing a full permit. "Defra and the Environment Agency have ignored these practically informed views, and it could mean that almost every biogas plant installation will need a permit. The CLA will be making it clear to Government that farms have existing slurry tanks much bigger than 1,250 cubic metres. "What is the point of holding consultations if Government ignores the advice they are given by those who understand the practicalities? Our farmers will be further frustrated by the announcement that they can only apply 50 tonnes of the digestate residue per hectare. Good agricultural practice and Defra guidance would suggest that nutrients be applied to suit crop, soil and weather conditions, and this arbitrary limit simply flies in the face of good sense. "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." |
Contact Douglas Chalmers
Douglas is from an Aberdeenshire farming family and trained as an animal nutritionist after graduating from the University of Aberdeen. He held technical and management positions in the agricultural supply industry for 20 years prior to joining the CLA in 2001 as North West Regional Director. He is Chairman of Cumbria Fells & Dales RDPE Local Action Group, Vice Chairman of the North West Rural Affairs Forum, a Governor of Myerscough College and a member of Cumbria Local Access Forum. He and his wife own a small farm near Appleby-in-Westmorland keeping Herdwick sheep and free-range poultry, and where he has helped his wife to form Learning Fields, a Community Interest Company offering educational and environmental activities there. He is also a member of Eden Time Bank. T: 01748 907070 F: 01748 907075 douglas.chalmers@cla.org.uk Have a problem - need advice? North West Office Aske Stables
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