PRESS RELEASE

13/07/05

COUNTRYSIDE CUSTODIANS MEET TO DISCUSS GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS

CLIMATE change is something of which farmers are more aware than most, and interest is growing in the cultivation of alternative energy sources which can help alleviate/ offset global warming.

Farming Connect in conjunction with the Centre for Alternative Land Use (CALU) will be holding an Open Meeting on Thursday July 14th at the County Showground Pavilion,  Haverfordwest at 2 pm.

Guest speaker at the meeting titled "The Opportunities for Growing Bio fuels" , will be Matt Ware, Senior NFU UK advisor on Non Food Crops, and all farmers are welcome to attend.

Mr Ware has recently returned from a fact finding visit to America which confirmed that British farmers are missing out on valuable new market opportunities for commodity crops. It is believed that in as few as three years time UK grain, oilseed rape and sugar-beet could be an important source of energy if government policy permits a renewable transport fuel obligation.

Also speaking will be Graham Perkins of the South and West Wales Machinery Ring whose topic will be "Turning this opportunity into profit for Pembrokeshire farmers."


"I will be talking about the political situation, climate change, and the opportunities for farmers to help combat these changes by growing bio fuels and producing biomass," said Mr Ware.

"I will also be looking at post CAP reform and the opportunities for farmers. Also encouraging government bodies and local authorities to adopt biomass heating in buildings such as schools and hospitals."

The cultivation of crops such as hemp – which can be turned into body panels for cars – or plants and herbs for use in the pharmaceutical industry, can benefit the environment and the farm income.

"Bio fuels and biomass give farmers a more positive green image as they are doing something very helpful to combat climate change.

"The NFU is currently surveying members as to what changes they have seen – such as new pests, diseases, and weather patterns.

"Farmers work out doors all year round and are more aware of changes, and they can help to reduce CO2 emissions."

Said Farming Connect Facilitator, Olwen Moss, "I encourage farmers to take this opportunity to hear such experienced speakers. This meeting has been arranged with global concerns high on everyone's agenda, and it will present an opportunity for farmers to contribute towards renewable energy solutions."


NOTES TO EDITORS

The Farming Connect Scheme was established to help farming families make the most of their businesses and adapt to changes in the agriculture industry and market place.

A team of Wales-wide experts and facilitators offer a range of services including business and specialist agricultural advice, training, information and investment grants.

Delivered by the Welsh Assembly Government, the Welsh Development Agency and other key agencies, Farming Connect is supported by the European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund of the European Union via Objective One and Rural Development Plans. Some programmes are also supported by Objective Two and Three funds.


The South and West Wales Machinery Ring is a co-operative which makes the most efficient use of farm machinery - and also skills - by organizing the placement of the right machine onto the right farm at the right time. There are thousands of machinery rings worldwide.


CALU, which opened its doors at the end of last year aims to become the focal point for technology transfer across a range of non-commodity enterprises helping existing horticultural businesses and also farmers to diversify.
It believes the advent of the new Single Farm Payment Scheme – which separates financial support from food production – means alternative enterprises are becoming an attractive idea for many farmers with growing interest in exotic vegetables and fruit.