The UK's four farming unions have called for the Energy and Trade Intensive Industry scheme (ETII) to be extended to include horticulture (and poultry) production. From April 2023, the scheme will provide high level energy relief to a number of sectors including food processing and manufacturing. However, it currently excludes primary agricultural production, despite energy being a critical source within food production.
The unions warned that when the Energy Bill Relief Scheme changes at the end of March, higher energy costs would be 'a major challenge for all farmers'. However, the situation would be most acute for the poultry and horticulture sectors, the NFU, NFU Scotland, NFU Cymru and Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) said.
The four UK farming unions are currently awaiting the publication of further guidance on the STII scheme.
Source: fpcfreshtalkdaily.co.uk