merrion street

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD, has today announced an extension to the closing date for applications under the 2012 Bioenergy Scheme. The closing date for submission of applications for pre-planting approval is now extended until Friday 27^th January 2012.

Announcing the extension, the Minister said "in order to provide potential applicants, advisors and contractors with additional time to assess the suitability of land for planting miscanthus or willow under the Scheme, I feel it would be beneficial to extend the deadline for receipt of applications for pre-planting approval until Friday 27^th January 2012".

Details of the 2012 Bioenergy Scheme and application forms can be obtained from Biofuels Policy Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kea-Lew Business Park, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Telephone 057-8692231/8692240 or at www.agriculture.gov.ie

Note for Editors

The Bioenergy Scheme 2012 was announced on 8^th December 2011. The legal basis for the Bioenergy Scheme is Council regulation (EC) No. 1698/2005, as amended, on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Eligible costs include ground preparation operations, vegetation management, planting and the purchase of planting stock.