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

Food and Farming Minister Larry Whitty launched a long-term strategy to create more demand for and use of renewable raw materials made from non-food crops.

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.

The joint Defra/DTI strategy, (see http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/acu/non-food/non-food.htm) 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 £2million a year, with an extra £1.3million to promote innovation.

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.

Aims of the strategy include:

* Tackling climate change - for example, substituting five per cent of fossil fuels with biofuels could lead to around one million tonnes of carbon saving by 2010

* Funding more scientific research

* Increasing the use of sustainable products

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.

"Through our National Non-Food Crops Centre, which is a nucleus for the industry, we can turn our vision for the commercial exploitation of the science into a reality."

Trade and Industry Minister Nigel Griffiths said:

"A concerted approach is needed to build the necessary links between science, agriculture and industry to spread knowledge and galvanise action.

"Government will work with industry, academics, scientists, farmers and consumers to promote awareness of products derived from crops, to identify new commercial opportunities, and to help develop a supply chain that meets the needs of the market."

Defra has also launched a drive to boost production of biomass - trees and plants used as environment-friendly energy sources. Former farmers' leader Sir Ben Gill will head a new biomass task force (see http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2004/041015a.htm). A new £3.5million UK-wide Bio-Energy Infrastructure Scheme also offers grants to help harvest, store, process and supply biomass for energy production.

BACKGROUND

1. The Non-Food Crops Centre was set up in November 2003 (see www.nnfcc.co.uk). 2. For more details about the Bio-Energy Infrastructure Scheme go to www.defra.gov.uk/farm/acu/energy/infrastructure.htm

3. For details about the Biomass Study Task Force, see
www.defra.gov.uk/farm/acu/energy/biomass-taskforce/index.htm

4. Defra has paid farmers £1million since 2001 under the Energy Crops Scheme, which gives grants of up to £1,600 per hectare to support biomass crops production.

5. £100m available under the Bioenergy Capital Grants Scheme and the Energy Crops Scheme aims to stimulate planting of around 15,000 hectares of energy crops by the end of 2007.

6. The government supports biofuels through a 20p per litre reduction in duty for biodiesel which will be extended to bioethanol from 1 January 2005. UK sales of biodiesel are now around two million litres per month.