GREEN LIGHT FROM ENVIRONMENT AGENCY FOR NORFOLK FIRM'S RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT

Banham Poultry's innovative plan to establish a renewable power plant near Attleborough, Norfolk has won approval from the Environment Agency under the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) regulations.

Now the company has launched a new energy division, Banham Power Ltd, to take the £10 million project forward.

The renewable power project is the first of its kind in the UK. It is in line with the UK's commitment to reduce CO2 emissions, and to increase our use of renewable energy. It will also safeguard 750 jobs at Banham Poultry, by offering a sustainable solution to the problem of by-product disposal which, since BSE, has become an increasing cost to all meat and poultry businesses.

The project uses advanced technology, known as pyrolysis and gasification. This involves heating dried poultry by-products under contained, oxygen-free conditions to release a combustible gas which is then used to generate electricity.

The proposed location for the power plant is a brownfield development site at Bunn's Bank, some 2km outside the town of Attleborough.

The plant will be capable of handling up to 1,200 tonnes of material per week, producing 5.5 megawatts of renewable electricity, enough to supply households across the entire Attleborough area.

Welcoming the Environment Agency's approval for the project, company director Robin Goram said: 'The spiralling costs of by-product disposal have dogged the entire livestock sector since BSE. These costs have already forced many companies out of business. By transforming animal by-products into clean, renewable energy, we believe this project is of strategic significance - not only for reducing waste and boosting renewable energy supplies, but also for the future competitiveness of our food and farming industries.'

To proceed, the plans must secure local planning consent from Norfolk County Council. Environmental issues linked to the plant, such as the impact of emissions, odour, noise and traffic have all been considered in detail and given a clean bill of health by the Environment Agency. Now the County Council must consider how the project fits in with its own development plans and policies.

'For Banham Poultry and the 750 jobs we support in the Attleborough area, it is vital that this project succeeds.' said Mr Goram. 'Our proposals are in line with policy commitments at a national and regional level to increase our use of renewable energy, to cut CO2 emissions, and to reduce waste.'

'Norfolk has a stated ambition to be a leader in waste reduction, and a pioneering centre for alternative energy. We are confident that our plan meets all the requirements to gain approval to proceed from the County Council. Once planning permission has been granted, the plant can be up and running within 12 months.'

Background Note to Editors:

Banham Poultry is an independent, family-owned business supplying fresh Norfolk chicken to food retailers and high street butchers throughout the UK. With annual sales of around £60 million, the company supports some 750 jobs in and around the Attleborough area.

A fully integrated business involving farming, processing and distribution, Banham Poultry processes up to 600,000 chickens per week. All products are supplied as chilled fresh whole birds and chicken portions.

Banham Poultry has a long-standing commitment to recycling and energy efficiency. The company's Station Road processing site in Attleborough enjoys a Climate Change Levy rebate because the efficiency of its Combined Heat and Power Plant, installed in 2001, allows hot water to be recycled for refrigeration and even puts electricity back into the National Grid.

Banham has also pioneered the use of biodiesel in its 40-strong transport fleet, and is one the first UK poultry processors to seek independent accreditation (ISO 14001) for its standards of environmental management.

A prospectus describing Banham Power's renewable energy project in more detail is attached to this news release. For further information, including Frequently Asked Questions about the project, please visit the new Banham Power web-site which goes live today (12 February) at www.banhampower.com.

-last updated 12.02.04