Future Farm Fuels
IFEAA chair, George Eustice, set the scene at a recent Future Farm Fuels event. The event explored actions from government to support the agrifood sector to transition away from fossil fuels, with biomethane and on farm anaerobic digestion a key enabler for this change. Attended by industrial and policy delegates, the forum identified the following policy priorities to support the transition to renewable fuels in farming:
- Recognition: and support for the ability of farmers to supply renewable energy whilst also delivering additional benefits to agriculture and the environment
- Funding: access to grants and soft loans for on-farm clean energy investment
- Roadmap: for fossil fuel phase-out, inc. RTFO flexibility for rural gas fuel use
- Infrastructure: creating virtual pipelines & off-grid storage for rural gas refuelling
- Food Security: above all, we should avoid forcing low-margin farm businesses to use inflationary novel fuels technology that could undermine food production.
