CHAIRMAN of the NFU England and Wales Alternative Crops Committee, Rad Thomas, will be in Pembrokeshire next week to discuss with local farmers the potential for growing crops for heating and power generation in the county.

Mr. Thomas will address farmers at the Plas Hyfryd Country House Hotel, Narberth, at 8 pm on Thursday, June 12.

He will give farmers a brief introduction into the types of crops that can be grown for energy production, the opportunities for farmers growing energy crops, the grant assistance available and the potential pitfalls in growing alternative crops.

Also speaking that evening will be John Amos, a specialist in growing energy crops from Herefordshire, and Dr. Fred Slater from Cardiff University, who is undertaking a project into the feasibility of growing willow at various sites in Wales.

Following the presentations, there will be an open question and answer session and discussion on the possibilities of growing the crops in Pembrokeshire, the potential market for these crops and the energy produced from them.

Local farmer Paul Ratcliffe, New House Farm, Martletwy, who has recently been involved in planting miscantus and canary grass in Pembrokeshire, will also be on hand to discuss his experiences of the crops.

Stephen Alderman, Pembrokeshire NFU county chairman, said: "The meeting gives farmers a chance to learn a little bit more about the opportunities and pitfalls for growing energy crops in the county. With the potential just around the corner for a major reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, growing these crops in the county may become a far more realistic proposition than previously considered."

Mr. Alderman feels that the potential is there for Pembrokeshire to partly meet its energy requirements from within the county rather than rely on the expensive imports of fossil fuel to the county.

He said: "The challenge is to encourage both public and private sector bodies in the county to consider energy crops as an alternative to fossil fuels."

The meeting is open to all farmers and a buffet will be provided following the meeting.