Farron secures South Lakes farmers meeting with Energy Minister over anaerobic digestion

Local farmers will have the opportunity to ask Energy and Climate Change Minister Ed Miliband MP to help push forward plans to build South Lakeland's first on-farm anaerobic digester after local MP Tim Farron secured a meeting with the minister.

Speaking today in the House of Commons, Mr Farron accused Labour playing "catch up" against nations that had already invested in the technology and called on the government to provide more support to local farmers wishing to diversify into anaerobic digestion. By way of a contrast, the German government now has over 2,500 on-farm digesters compared to just 35 in the UK.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"Anaerobic digestion can help farmers overcome the challenges of managing manure and slurry, while also creating a renewable energy source with enough power to generate enough electricity to power over 2million homes.

"Farmers understand the huge potential of anaerobic digestion, but they continue to be hamstrung by Government under-funding in agricultural research and development.

"Germany now has over 2,500 on-farm digesters compared to just 35 in the UK. If our farmers are to remain at the forefront of the fight against climate change, anaerobic digestion must be made a priority.

"I'm hopeful that Mr Miliband will realise the huge potential of anaerobic digestion and will support our efforts to turn South Lakeland into a renewable energy centre of excellence."