Oakland Biofuels Plan to Turn Bracken into Biofuel

Oakland Biofuels plans to turn bracken, ferns that infests Welsh farmers' land and reduce their grazing space, into biofuel.

"Bracken has been the scourge of most hill and upland farms for many years and is rapidly becoming out of control as its growing area increases year on year due, partly, to the change in climate," said company boss Jeremy Oakley. "Wales will be seen as the location for a pioneering solution to two European wide problems — bracken management and ethanol production."

Mr. Oakley managed to source some lightweight remote controlled machines which are specially built to harvest grass and biomass from steep hillsides, where bracken are usually found. He plans to make arrangements with Welsh farmers to cut bracken throughout the year.

There would be no direct financial benefit from this activity for farmers, but should allow them access to land which might otherwise be untenable.