The Potential of Grassland and Associated Forages to Produce Fibre, Biomass, Energy or Other Feedstocks for Non-Food and Other Sectors: New Uses for a Global Resource
Key points
1. In developed countries increased areas of land will become available for non-food production. Recent reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy will further intensify this trend in Europe.
2. There is potential for grassland and associated species to contribute to large tonnage markets of energy and bulk fibres, to the supply of fermentation products and to speciality markets, but processes and approaches to the market are not as yet developed.
3. There is potential for the establishment of Graminaceous species - specifically for nonfood use. For European conditions particular attention is being given to Miscanthus sinensis (Miscanthus), Arundo donax (Giant Reed), Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary Grass) and Spartina spp. (Cord grass, Marsh Grass).
4. Whilst grass and forage species could be used for individual non-food uses (e.g. biomass for energy), value may be added by adopting a biorefinery approach in which a range of products are derived from the different components in the feedstock