NFU calls for UK backing on
£700million biofuels industry
An NFU delegation will call for the UK
government to back the biofuels industry,
worth an estimated £700 million at the
farm gate, when it meets with Baroness
Kramer, Minister of State for Transport
for the first time this week.
It comes ahead of a crucial European vote
on biofuels on December 12. The NFU
will urge Baroness Kramer to oppose
the proposed introduction of indirect
Land Use Change (iLUC) factors, and
a reduction from the 10 to seven per
cent crop based biofuels can currently
contribute to the original Renewable
Energy Directive (RED).
The delegation will also ask for an
increase in the level of biofuel that can
be included in domestic fuel blends,
currently set at 4.75 per cent. The NFU
believes this would provide room for the
growth of a sustainable, green industry.
NFU biofuels spokesman Brett Askew
said:
“We are looking forward to meeting with
Baroness Kramer to discuss the benefits
of the industry, as well as raising our
concerns with the Department again about
the failings of the proposal on the table. It
is essential any decisions made about the
contentious topic of iLUC are based on
robust science.
“Make no mistake, the biofuels industry
is incredibly beneficial, adding value to
our grain and oilseeds for feed and fuel
markets. We currently import an estimated
80 per cent of the animal feed consumed
in the livestock, pig and poultry sectors.
This cost nearly £7.5 billion in 2012.
However, at full capacity, the biofuels
industry could help reduce that cost by
more than £600 million, which underlines support for sustainable industry in its
the importance of biofuels and why the actions both at home and abroad.
UK Government must demonstrate its