Grain dryers ‘should remain part of RHI’

On-farm grain dryers should remain part of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, an Ofcom consultation has been told.

In its submission on the need for on-farm drying to remain eligible for RHI, the farmers union said the scheme had been introduced to incentivise the installation of renewable heating systems, helping to bridge the gap between the cost of such systems and conventional alternatives.

“As a result, many forward-thinking farmers in Scotland have invested in non-conventional drying systems, often to replace old diesel grain dryers,” the submission said.

“These are usually eco-friendly biomass or wood-fired units and generate substantial environmental benefits over old fuel-burning models.”

It also pointed out that since farmers were paid on weight for their grain, there was little incentive for abuse and any over-drying would lead to lighter weights and less revenue for their crops.

NFU Scotland’s policy manager, Gemma Cooper, said; “Many farmers have invested heavily in drying systems based on the RHI ... Such investments have been made because grain drying was listed as an ‘eligible use’ for RHI, and would have been unlikely to have occurred without it.

“RHI has allowed farmers to change to more eco-friendly drying systems, with huge savings in terms of gas or oil used and carbon dioxide emissions.

“Drying as an eligible heat use is something which the Government must retain.”