Crops for manufacture strategy to boost environment

Plans to exploit the commercial, scientific and environmental potential of crops grown for manufacturing have been unveiled today by the government.

The joint Defra/DTI strategy is aimed at increasing commercial opportunities, stimulating innovation, cutting waste and environmental damage, and protecting precious natural resources.

Defra has doubled its funding for non-food crops research to £2 million a year, with an extra £1.3 million to promote innovation.

Medicines, plastics, tyres, car parts, cosmetics and clothes can all be made from crops such as hemp, wheat and oilseed rape, which are also a source of cleaner energy and fuel and a range of renewable materials.

Using non-food crops has widespread potential benefits: for the environment by cutting greenhouse gases, pollution and waste; for business by providing new products and markets; and for farmers and rural communities by creating new industries and opportunities.

Food and Farming Minister Larry Whitty said: "This is an important sector with huge potential. The UK's world-class bioscience know-how puts us in a strong position to seize the exciting opportunities non-food crops present. We need to turn good ideas into real products that industry wants to make and people want to buy."

Defra has also launched a drive to boost production of biomass - trees and plants used as environment-friendly energy sources. The new £3.5 million UK-wide Bio-Energy Infrastructure Scheme also offers grants to help harvest, store, process and supply biomass for energy production.

(gmcg)