This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jul/11/biofuels-food-crops-capped-meps-vote

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Biofuels from food crops to be capped following MEPs' vote Biofuels from food crops to be capped following MEPs' vote
(2 months later)
EU Parliamentarians have approved proposals to limit the contribution of conventional biofuels toward its green transport targets, in a move producers labelled "complex and ineffective".EU Parliamentarians have approved proposals to limit the contribution of conventional biofuels toward its green transport targets, in a move producers labelled "complex and ineffective".
MEPs in the influential Environment Committee (ENVI) voted 43-21, with one abstention, to set a cap for fuels made from food crops at 5.5% and include emissions arising from indirect land use change (ILUC) factors such as clearing of forests, wetlands, or grasslands in the Renewable Energy Directive and the Fuel Quality Directive when calculating official emissions impacts.MEPs in the influential Environment Committee (ENVI) voted 43-21, with one abstention, to set a cap for fuels made from food crops at 5.5% and include emissions arising from indirect land use change (ILUC) factors such as clearing of forests, wetlands, or grasslands in the Renewable Energy Directive and the Fuel Quality Directive when calculating official emissions impacts.
The Commission had already proposed a five 5% cap, but the EU Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) said last month this should be raised to 6.5% and recommended ILUC factors not be included until the methodology for measuring indirect emissions is more reliable.The Commission had already proposed a five 5% cap, but the EU Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) said last month this should be raised to 6.5% and recommended ILUC factors not be included until the methodology for measuring indirect emissions is more reliable.
The cap is designed to accelerate the development of so-called second-generation biofuels, which derive from materials such as waste, agricultural residues, or algae, which in theory do not compete with food production but have yet to reach industrial levels of production.The cap is designed to accelerate the development of so-called second-generation biofuels, which derive from materials such as waste, agricultural residues, or algae, which in theory do not compete with food production but have yet to reach industrial levels of production.
Green groups have blamed biofuel production for rising food prices and point to a number of research papers that suggest ILUC emissions mean that some forms of biofuel, particular biodiesel made from palm or soybean oil, are worse for the environment than the petrol and diesel fuels they are designed to replace.Green groups have blamed biofuel production for rising food prices and point to a number of research papers that suggest ILUC emissions mean that some forms of biofuel, particular biodiesel made from palm or soybean oil, are worse for the environment than the petrol and diesel fuels they are designed to replace.
However, producers argue the science around ILUC calculations is still in its infancy and that the EU should not undermine a £14bn industry on such a premise. Moreover, they argue there is a real threat the EU will not be able to meet its goal of using 10% green energy in transport by 2020 by effectively ruling out 80% of EU biofuels and warn that by changing the goal posts the move could deter investors in next generation fuels.However, producers argue the science around ILUC calculations is still in its infancy and that the EU should not undermine a £14bn industry on such a premise. Moreover, they argue there is a real threat the EU will not be able to meet its goal of using 10% green energy in transport by 2020 by effectively ruling out 80% of EU biofuels and warn that by changing the goal posts the move could deter investors in next generation fuels.
Kåre Riis Nielsen, director of European affairs at Danish company Novozymes, which manufacturers enzymes for both first and second generation producers, branded the proposals "a complex and ineffective package". He said the proposals in the ITRE report would be a better way of promoting the best performing biofuels while addressing ILUC issues in a "practical manner".Kåre Riis Nielsen, director of European affairs at Danish company Novozymes, which manufacturers enzymes for both first and second generation producers, branded the proposals "a complex and ineffective package". He said the proposals in the ITRE report would be a better way of promoting the best performing biofuels while addressing ILUC issues in a "practical manner".
"Limiting the share of conventional biofuels to 5.5% prevents further growth of the industry and ignores the strong contribution conventional ethanol makes to decarbonise the transport sector even when ILUC is accounted for," Nielsen said in a statement. "The ENVI Committee has ignored the opinions provided by other Parliamentary Committees ... that recommended a more balanced approach allowing conventional biofuels to develop sustainably while incentivising further innovative advanced biofuels."Limiting the share of conventional biofuels to 5.5% prevents further growth of the industry and ignores the strong contribution conventional ethanol makes to decarbonise the transport sector even when ILUC is accounted for," Nielsen said in a statement. "The ENVI Committee has ignored the opinions provided by other Parliamentary Committees ... that recommended a more balanced approach allowing conventional biofuels to develop sustainably while incentivising further innovative advanced biofuels.
"Today's vote fails to provide the needed long term and stable policy framework for industry and investors and would jeopardise the future of best performing biofuels including advanced biofuels industry.""Today's vote fails to provide the needed long term and stable policy framework for industry and investors and would jeopardise the future of best performing biofuels including advanced biofuels industry."
Green groups gave the measures a cautious welcome, but argued that they represented a "timid step" when bolder action was required.Green groups gave the measures a cautious welcome, but argued that they represented a "timid step" when bolder action was required.
The package will now be put to a plenary session of Parliament in September.The package will now be put to a plenary session of Parliament in September.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.