Background
The Energy Crops Scheme offers grants to farmers in England for the establishment of miscanthus and short rotation coppice. It is part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and will be jointly funded by the European Union, through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and the UK government.  

The RDPE was agreed by the European Commission on 6 December 2007, meaning that we are now able to make new agreements under the Energy Crops Scheme.  

Objectives
To increase the amount of energy crops grown in England – in appropriate locations. Energy crops are used as a substitute for fossil fuels, can contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and help to combat climate change.

ECS Newsletter: July 2008
The ECS have released the latest supporting newsletter, Fired Up! The July 2008 issue is available to download to the right of this article and features the latest developments with the scheme, including issues such as:

• The EU Renewable Energy Directive
• Environmental Stewardship
• CAP Healthcheck: update
• Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme
• Village school pioneers green energy solution

Contacts
For feedback or queries on the newsletter, please email marian.laklia@defra.gsi.gov.uk

For more detailed queries on the scheme please visit the external link to the right of this page, or contact:

Natural England
Yorks & Humber
Units 2 & 3
Northallerton Business Park
Standard Way
Northallerton
North Yorkshire
DL6 2XQ
T: 01609 767400
E: ecsqueries@naturalengland.org.uk