THE MARKET for biofuels is potentially infinite, British Association of Biofuels and Oils chairman Peter Clery has claimed.

Mr Clery told a packed FW Farmer Forum debate that climate change, dwindling fossil fuel reserves and pressure to develop a sustainable energy policy were all driving the establishment of the UK”s biofuel industry.

“The industry is here and now with markets that are potentially infinite,” Mr Clery said. But he added that the industry needed a show of support from the government before a stand-alone industry could be established that could process oilseed rape into biodiesel.

“We”ve had some very encouraging announcements from government over the last seven years, but as yet it has been unwilling to commit any funds,” he said. “It”s now about time it willed the means.”

Although speakers concentrated on the potential for biofuels from agricultural crops, the possibility of using waste was also raised.

Melyvn Askew, head of agricultural and rural strategy at the Central Science Laboratory, highlighted the role new technologies could play in waste recycling.

“Within 10 years we”ll be making petrol from newspapers, and the 2m chicken heads that go into landfill each month will also be used to manufacture the fuel,” he said.