EU cash boost to non-food crops
19 October 2000
EU cash boost to non-food crops
By FWi staff
WORK to promote the use of industrial crops has been given a 453,000 boost from the EU Commission.
The Commission has awarded the Central Science Laboratorys alternative crops and biotechnology group 
778,000 (453,000) to expand its work.
This comes on the day junior farm minister Joyce Quin unveiled the European report on the Interactive European Network for Alternative Crops and their Application (IENICA) project.
The report argues that industrial crops could provide realistic alternatives to fossil fuels for items such as fuel and lubricants.
CSL Laboratorys alternative crops and biotechnology group leader Melvyn Askew is co-ordinator of the IENICA project.
IENICA seeks to assess opportunities for non-food products in the Union and bring together involved parties.
Ms Quin said the money would enable the CSL to build on the firm foundations laid by the original project.
IENICA can now look at the opportunities for alternative crops in different parts of the EU, she said.
The minister added: “Countries and regions have their own opportunities and obstacles and this new project will look at these in detail.
“The end result will be a valuable resource for growers, processors, manufacturers as well as governments and researchers.”
IENICA has been expanded from 14 to 25 countries and will organise regional seminars as well as two major European conferences.
The new project will start by January 2001.