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Topical question asked in the House of Commons, by Elizabeth Truss (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 8 March 2012 on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.


Topical Questions

Question
Many of my constituents are concerned about the number of proposals for biomass plants that are springing up in an area of high-value agricultural production. In these times of concern about food security, what steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that we do not use high-value crops in such plants?
Answer

The Government will not allow the growth of bio-energy to compromise food security. There are many other feedstocks for bio-energy, including wastes. Crops for energy can be grown in ways that do not compete with food, for example, through using marginal land. We want our farmers to share the economic opportunities offered by bio-energy as well as realising the benefits of clean, secure energy for the country.


Secondary information

Type
Oral question
Reference
541 c1005-6 
Session
2010-12
Oral question type
1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Crops Biofuels
Link
View this Topical question on www.publications.parliament.uk