The market for biofuels in the transport industry is still strong, despite international concerns Peter Kendall stressed at Cereals 2007.
He was keen to emphasize that there is still great support for the biofuel industry and that its environmental footprint is becoming more important. Even Tony Bosworth, Friends of the Earth Transport Campaigner supports the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), for example, saying it will be vital in reducing CO2 emissions.
Virgin Trains also backs biodiesel use for transport with its ‘Voyager’, the first train in Europe to use a practicable blended fuel to reduce CO2 emissions.
Further support comes from Mariann Fischer Boel, EU Minister for Agriculture. Speaking at the European Grain and Oilseed Convention on 4th May she explained that the EU wants “to do everything possible to guarantee biofuel used in Europe will not have undesirable environmental consequences.”
Mr Kendall said that agriculture can provide a solution to the need for biofuel production.
His vision is that UK farmers will become net exporters of energy as a result of biofuels and biogas. He concluded his speech by criticising food manufacturers for increasing their own margins at the expense of farmers.
by Charles Abel (About this Author)
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