Natural England has reminded farmers and land managers that the closing date for applications to the current Energy Crops Scheme is Saturday August 31st this year. Applications for agreements from land managers or their agents must have been received by the agency by the end of August to allow time for new agreements to start by the end of December 2013.

The Energy Crops Scheme (ECS) was set up to support the growing of miscanthus and short rotation coppice.  Energy crops such as miscanthus are used as a substitute for fossil fuels. Although they are a source of renewable energy, unlike fossil fuels, opinion is divided as to whether their use carries any environmental benefit.

Even so, schemes such as the ECS are available to subsidise farmers wishing to grow the crops. Payments under the scheme cover 50 percent of the costs of establishing the crop.  ECS participants can plant in one year, or choose to phase the planting for up to three years.  Under the arrangements for the current scheme planting can be undertaken in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

The Energy Crops Scheme was established using rural development funding. The current Rural Development Plan for England expires at the end of the year, and Natural England said that, as there has been no decision made on future support funding, no agreements under the current scheme can be entered into after that date. All agreements that are finalised before 31st December 2013 will continue until their agreed end date.

More information on the ECS is available from Natural England.