Author: Ruth Elleson

Publisher:

Published: 1984

Total Pages: 44

ISBN-13:

Extract: The 1973-80 oil price increases did not significantly alter the structure of Western Europe's agricultural sector or the flow of agricultural exports to the region. Energy costs represent a relatively small percentage of total input costs, with the greenhouse sector the only exception. As long as European Community policy continues to support agricultural prices, future energy crises are not likely to significantly affect the structure and performance of the region's agriculture. Biomass from farm waste and surplus crops can provide only a small part of agriculture's energy requirements, and energy crops may never be economically viable.