UK farmers’ leaders are concerned that arable farmers here will be left at a competitive disadvantage after the government proposed one of the lowest biofuel crop caps in Europe.
The Department for Transport has proposed that the crop cap should be set at 4% in 2018, decreasing incrementally until it reaches 2% by 2032.
But the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) called for the cap, which governs the volume of crop-based biofuels allowed to be used on UK roads, to be set at the maximum of 7%, in line with many other EU member states. It argues the biofuels market is an important source of high protein feed, at nearly 1m tonnes, and provides an important outlet for crops and security for many producers. Combinable crops board chairman Mike Hambly said the NFU was “disappointed” at the proposal, and warned it would severely impact the UK’s production of bioethanol.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here