BIOFUELS FROM UK cereals and oilseeds could help significantly cut total greenhouse gas emissions and energy inputs, according to a new report.

The Home Grown Cereals Authority’s report found that using bioethonal from wheat could cut energy inputs by 61% and greenhouse gas emissions by 65% for each megajoule of energy created.

Bio-diesel from oilseed rape also has the potential to reduce energy inputs by 66% and greenhouse gas emissions by 53%, the report said.

“Biofuels can make a real difference to both energy efficiency and carbon levels,” commented the HGCA’s Alastair Dickie.

“Biofuel production can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, meet EU biofuel targets, cut greenhouse gas emissions and provide alternative markets for farmers.”

In terms of the environmental impact of growing crops for biofuels, there is little difference compared to growing crops for food, the report also concluded.

But if biofuel buyers are prepared to accept different quality and grain protein specifications, there may be scope to reduce some inputs, such as nitrogen, fungicides and insecticides, it said.

The report findings should help develop the UK biofuel market in an environmentally-friendly manner, added Mr Dickie.

A summary of the report, ‘Environmental impact of cereals and oilseed rape for food and biofuels in the UK’ will be available at the HGCA stand at Cereals 2005, or can be downloaded from www.hgca.com.