Biofuels introduction to happen slower than planned

Last Updated: 2:01pm BST 15/10/2008

The introduction of biofuels into the UK fuel supply will happen more slowly than originally planned, new Government proposals reveal today.

The controversial fuels were due to make up 5 per cent of transport fuels by 2010-2011, but concerns have been raised about their impact on the environment and the price of food.Under the new proposals, suppliers would not be required to source 5 per cent of transport fuels for UK vehicles from organic matter such as palm oil and sugar beet until 2013/2014.

The slowdown would be in line with the findings of the Gallagher Review, which warned current policies could cause greenhouse gas emissions rather than savings - for example if forests were cleared for crop plantations.
It also found that increasing demand for biofuels was contributing to rising food prices in the EU and in developing countries.
In the wake of the Government-commissioned review, the then Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly promised to "proceed cautiously" with the introduction of biofuels.
Under the proposals put out for consultation, the rate of increase of the renewable transport fuels obligation (RTFO) would slow to 0.5 per cent a year, rising from the current 2.5 per cent to 5 per cent over five years.
Transport Minister Lord Adonis also announced a further £6m for research by the Carbon Trust into developing more sustainable biofuel technologies - for example production which uses waste parts of plants such as the stalks of food crops.
He said: "Everyone agrees that to tackle climate change we must develop new and cleaner fuels. But we are clear that biofuels will only have a role to play in this if they are sustainably produced.
"That is why the Government commissioned Professor Gallagher to examine the indirect impacts of biofuels, and we have accepted his recommendation to amend but not abandon our approach."
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said the Government should make sure only sustainable biofuels were supported.
And he urged: "The decision to retreat on biofuel targets should not be used as an excuse to back off from environmental commitments. The Government must cut carbon emissions elsewhere in transport."
Friends of the Earth also called for other measures to cut emissions from transport, warning the Government should not rely on the development of more sustainable second generation biofuels.
The organisation's biofuels campaigner Kenneth Richter said: "Second generation biofuels remain an unproven pipe dream. Ministers should be investing in measures that help Britons save on fuel and cut emissions now.
"[Transport Secretary] Geoff Hoon must push the EU to make car makers double the fuel efficiency of new cars."
"We need a new direction in transport based on smarter cars that burn less fuel, safer cycle routes and better public transport," he said.