LABOUR spokesperson on Agriculture & Food Seán Sherlock TD has said the current economic climate presents a major opportunity for the farming sector to get involved in energy creation initiatives.Deputy Sherlock said he would support any incentive that calls for the introduction of measures to support renewable energy initiatives.

"A number of excellent proposals have been put forward in this regard by farming organisations and Teagasc is carrying out a lot of research in this area. If implemented, these proposals would not only cut greenhouse gas emissions, but may very well lead to the creation of new business initiatives and in turn create jobs,"

"This government has for too long ignored the potential for job creation in the farming sector in favour of the manufacturing sector where there are now huge job losses. The minister now needs to look at incentivising the production sector given the loss of income through changes in the CAP," he said.

Deputy Sherlock said he will therefore be calling on the Minister to introduce a grant scheme to encourage farming families to look toward becoming self sufficient in terms of energy production.

"I am talking in terms of wind turbines that can generate electricity on individual farms while there are also a host of other initiatives. In the absence of a grant scheme tax incentives could be introduced where a carbon offset is proven," he said.