135 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he advocates grass based production for Irish farmers as distinct from one based on concentrate feeds; the policy, if any, there is to develop non-food farming in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18817/95]

Farming systems in Ireland are predominantly grass based and are likely to remain so. Despite the reduction in the price of concentrate feeds as a result of the reform of the CAP, these feeds are not as cheap as grass for ruminant diets.

The feeding regime to be adopted in individual cases is a matter for commercial decision to be taken in the light of all the circumstances obtaining.

I am anxious to encourage the production of non-food crops as a means of creating additional employment in rural areas. In this context biomass or biofuel crops could present opportunities especially as the growing of some of these crops can be done on set-aside land without loss of set-aside benefits.