Brussels, 17/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 17 July, COPA-COGECA came out against the position of the committee on the environment of the European Parliament (EP) for a 5.5% limit on the use of biofuels from arable crops by 2020 (see EUROPE 10886). A limit of this kind “not only threatens the future of the EU biofuel industry but also feed supplies for animals and runs counter to the EU 2020 Strategy for Growth and Employment and the Climate and Energy targets”, the organisations state in a press release.
Pekka Pesonen, the secretary general of COPA-COGECA, argued that farmers and the industry have invested huge amounts of money in the sector (based on commitments made by the EU institutions to ensure that 10% of transport fuels come from renewable energy sources by 2020). He described the amendments of the EP environment committee as unacceptable, as they will mean “more fossil fuel consumption and more CO2 emissions in transport by 2020. Some operators have already made plans for 2020 which exceed the 5.5% limit. The vote today calling for a 5.5% limit puts an abrupt end to the development of the sector in many countries, threatening 220,000 jobs mostly in EU rural areas”, Pesonen argued.
The move would also threaten animal feed supplies, as biofuel production provides major benefits for the animal feed sector. This is because the rapeseed grains can be used simultaneously for both biodiesel production and in animal feed. The majority of the grain stays in the feed sector, he said.
COPA-COGECA calls on the MEPs to ensure the viability of the biofuel industry when they vote on the matter in plenary in September. The organisations believe that the arguments in favour of the use of biofuels are solid. They bring benefits in terms of reducing dependency on oil and of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, help to stabilise the base product markets and employment in rural areas and guarantee the supply of animal feed. “They have no impact on food prices compared to market basics such as oil prices, exchange rates, extreme climate phenomena and ad hoc trade policy restrictions”. COPA-COGECA calls on the MEPs to guarantee that at least 8% of transport fuel comes from arable crops by 2020 and to oppose ILUC factors and multiple counting. Multiple counting constitutes a “statistical ruse which misleads the citizens as to the actual level of the share of biofuels in mixes with fossil fuels and create the illusion that the environmental targets have been met”.
Pesonen added that work was also required on the protection of carbon-rich soils and biodiversity in third countries by means of bilateral agreements, financial support and legal advice. (LC/transl.fl)