Ireland should set itself a target to convert 500,000 acres of grazing land into fuel-producing crops to meet the demand for energy, the Teagasc national tillage conference in Co Carlow was told yesterday.
Prof Gerry Boyle, director of the agriculture and food development authority, told 500 farmers who attended the event that there would be a big, immediate and long-term increase in demand for biomass for heat production in chipped or pelleted form and for electricity production at peat-burning stations.
"We need to develop our production capacity to meet these demands. As an initial target, a total of 200,000 hectares transferred from dry-stock farming to biomass crops would allow several markets to develop without major impact on food/feed production."
Prof Boyle said he wanted to stimulate debate on the risks and benefits of genetically modified (GM) foods as the debate in Europe was polarised and should be more open and inclusive.
He said Teagasc would not be found wanting in bringing forward the scientific facts on the issues of biotechnology in food and feed production, and had invested significantly in the area of examining the issues in recent years.
"So the question is what is the best position for Ireland on this issue and this is a politically-sensitive one.
"It is not Teagasc's role to get involved in the politics of this issue. However, it is our job to examine the science involved.
"It is our job to research the technology, to evaluate its use in other countries, to determine the benefits and faults of adopting GM technology.
"It is our job to use forums, like the one today, to stimulate debate on the issue."
Farmers were urged by Dermot Forrestal, of Teagasc's crops research centre, to consider using a minimum tillage system, ie where only the top levels of soil are tilled, to save on fuel costs while planting.
He said farmers could make fuel savings of between €13 and €16 per hectare by using the so-called "min-till" system.