Farming has key role to play in green energy targets

22nd October 2009

The UK and EU could sustainably deliver up to 80 per cent of the greener road transport fuels needed to meet the Government's renewable fuel obligations, new research showed today (Thurs).


The research, carried out by the Renewable Energy Association to help inform the debate about renewable energy targets in the UK, was launched at a briefing at Chatham House in London.


NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond, who took part in a panel discussion at the launch event, said: "British agriculture can and will play a key role in energy security by delivering the sustainable biomass for energy and crops for transport fuels needed to help meet the 2020 targets. This is a key part of the role famers can play as part of the solution to climate change.


"Sourcing assured home-grown crops for green industries, such as biofuels, and using the co-products of production for animal feed will benefit both the environment and UK farmers."


Statistics produced as part of the REA's review show there is a major opportunity for biofuels in the UK. There is the potential for bioethanol production in the UK to rise by 20 times its current level by 2020, and biodiesel production to rise by three times, creating thousands of green jobs throughout the supply chain.


Notes to editors:

1.The briefing at Chatham House was jointly hosted by Chatham House, the REA, and Imperial College London.
2.The REA scenario modelling was independently peer reviewed by the Porter Alliance, Imperial College London
3.Under the Renewable Energy Directive the UK must derive 15 per cent of its overall energy from renewable sources by the year 2020, and ten per cent of its energy in the transport sector.
4.More information on biofuels is available at www.biofuelsnow.co.uk


NFU, Agriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2TZ
Press Officer: Chris Pryke
Telephone: 024 7685 8686 FAX: 024 7685 8651 ISDN: 02476 416289
Http://www.nfuonline.com

The NFU is the voice of British farming and provides professional representation and services to its farmer and grower members.

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