Cross-party MPs support UK biofuels ahead of today’s EU vote 11 July 2013

A group of Labour and Conservative MPs, representing constituencies in Humberside and East Yorkshire, is backing the REA (Renewable Energy Association) campaign in favour of the biofuels industry, ahead of a crucial vote in the European Parliament today (11 July 2013).

The vote will determine whether or not to endorse a strict cap on crop-based biofuels, proposed following concerns over possible emissions from 'indirect land use change' (ILUC).

"If it was mandatory for all land-using industries to account for emissions from the direct conversion of land from one use to another – as the biofuels industry does already – then there would be no such thing as indirect land use change," comments REA head of renewable transport Clare Wenner.

"Biofuels are the largest contributor to reducing emissions from transport, and R&D in biofuels leads to increased productivity in other agricultural sectors too," she continues.

"Biofuel manufacture also produces animal feed co-products, reducing the need for imports of soy and other animal feed products from overseas."

The REA insists that the ENVI (European Environment, Public Health and Food Safety) Committee must understand that its proposals would jeopardise the biofuels industry and all the benefits it brings.

"Building policy on the highly uncertain theory of ILUC is not the way forward," warns Wenner. "We urge them to take the opinion of the ITRE [Industry, Research and Energy] Committee on board, and ensure the biofuels industry – which supports 3,500 jobs across 200 companies up and down the UK supply chain – has a sustainable future."

The Humber region is home to Vivergo's £350 million bioethanol facility in Hull, which was officially opened by Business Secretary, Rt Hon Vince Cable MP on Monday 8 July.

Author
Brian Tinham

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