Farron welcomes "green" loans for South Lakeland farmers

South Lakeland MP Tim Farron has encouraged local farmers to "go-green" and reduce their impact on the environment by signing up for energy efficiency loans.

From February1 2010 British farmers will be eligible for unsecured, interest-free loans to help them to more energy equipment.

The Carbon Trust expects £12million of funding to be offered, saving farmers and growers £4million per year in energy costs. The loans are designed to pay for themselves through direct energy savings provided over one to four years. After the loan is repaid, farmers will make direct savings on their energy costs, as well as cutting the carbon footprint of what they produce.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"Providing farmers with green loans to improve their energy efficiency is a win-win situation by helping to reduce the industry's green house emissions while at the same time saving money for farmers.

"This scheme strikes the perfect balance, by allowing farmers to meet 'green targets' without compromising their productivity or profitability.

"Milk cooling accounts for one third of energy consumption of dairy farms, so a dairy farmer in South Lakeland could save up to £1,000 and 6 tonnes of C02 a year through an energy efficient upgrade."