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FAIR-CT98-4193
PAMUCEAF: Poplars - A multiple-use crop for European arable farmers
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Contacts
Further Information
To find similar Items, click on a keyword below:
Biocomposites/Boards
:
Crops for Biocomposites/Boards
:
Crops for Paper/Pulp
:
Crops for Solid Biofuels
:
FAIR Area 4.3 - Diversification
:
Paper/Pulp
:
Solid Biofuels
:
Wood (Lignocellulose)
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Type of Project |
Shared Cost |
| Contract No |
FAIR-CT98-4193 |
| Total Cost |
1,536,800 ECU |
| EC Contribution |
1,088,400 ECU |
| Start Date |
01/04/1999 |
| Duration |
33 months |
Poplars: A multiple-use crop for European arable farmers (PAMUCEAF)
Background
Agricultural over-production in Europe has resulted in very large areas of farmland being no longer
required for food crops. In recent years, the EC has used obligatory set-aside as the main mechanism
for controlling arable crop surpluses. The current situation presents problems for policy-makers,
addressed by the European Commission's Agenda 2000 document, but also provides
opportunities for environmental enhancement and production of non-food crops.
Modern poplar hybrids are very fast growing trees, highly suitable for ex-arable land. Poplar wood
has many potential uses e.g. fuel for heat or electricity, fibres for paper or fibreboard, pallets, food
crates, and furniture veneers. Even the longest rotations are short, compared to those for other forest
crops - increasing flexibility for integration into agricultural systems. Typical rotations might be two
years for energy crops, 10 years for fibre crops and 25 years for timber crops.
Various studies, including the EC-funded 'Poplars for Farmers' project, have indicated that
the economics of poplar production compare favourably with other forest trees and with most
alternative, non-food crops. Poplars offer an excellent opportunity for farm 'diversification' and could
provide raw materials for small-scale rural industries, increasing employment. Widespread production
on surplus arable land could also make an important contribution to European targets for reductions in
fossil fuel combustion, reducing CO2 levels, and make a positive contribution to trade
balances by reducing import requirements for paper pulp and hardwood timber.
However, more research is required to:
- evaluate environmental impacts
- assess the economic viability of the crop within the context of existing farm businesses
- identify key products and markets
- develop appropriate production systems for successful integration into arable farming
- identify the most suitable areas for poplar production to enable efficient targeting of resources
These issues are directly addressed by the PAMUCEAF project.
Objectives
The project has the following main objectives:
- To examine current levels of demand for various poplar (Populus spp.) wood products
(including veneers, sawn timber, fibre and wood chips for energy production) and identify likely future
market trends.
- To determine the potential for widespread production of poplars as a non-food crop for surplus
agricultural land, in the light of current economic and political factors and under a reformed CAP - as
proposed by 'Agenda 2000'.
- To determine the probable environmental impact of large-scale poplar production in agricultural
areas - considering likely effects on soil and water resources, biodiversity and landscapes.
- To identify 'key areas' for poplar production, using GIS software.
- To assess the attitudes of farmers and the general public to a potential increase in poplar planting
on farmland and identify their main objections to this crop.
- To produce revised recommendations for poplar production on arable or mixed farms - ensuring
maximum profitability, full integration with other farm enterprises and environmental acceptability.
Technical Approach
The project is organised into seven distinct tasks as follows:
- Co-ordination and QA - Project management and Quality Assurance.
- Products and Markets - Markets for poplar wood will be reviewed and those products
with the greatest potential for exploitation by farmers identified using various methods that will include
interviews with industry 'experts'.
- Agriculture, Silviculture and Economics - Comparisons will be made between gross
margins of poplars and conventional arable crops, using bio-economic models and templates from
Poplars for Farmers, and economic analyses within context of whole farm business. Likely effects
of 'Agenda 2000' proposals on poplars will be evaluated. Practical problems and advantages in
integration of different types of poplar crop into typical farm businesses will be considered by agricultural
and forestry specialists, emphasising the scope for utilisation of available machinery, labour and skills.
- Geographical Information - GIS mapping will be used to identify most suitable areas for
poplar production on ex-arable land. This will integrate poplar site/clone data with land use, soils,
climate, altitude, environmental designation and other relevant data sets.
- Environment: water and soils - Extensive survey of soils in poplar plantations and three
field experiments will be carried out in Belgium, Sweden and the UK.
- Environment: ecology and landscape - Extensive and intensive surveys of existing poplar
plantations will be carried out, studying vegetation, vertebrates and invertebrates as well as landscape
characteristics.
- Farmer and Public Attitudes - Focus groups and postal surveys of farmers and the general
public will be used to determine views on potential planting of poplars on surplus arable land as well as
identification of problems, real or perceived, that might hinder adoption/acceptance of this crop.
Contacts
Coordinator
EC Scientific Officer
Participant
