Brussels, 09/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - Six organisations (COCERAL, COPA-COGECA, EBB, EPURE, PANGEA and FEDIOL), representing different links in the manufacturing and use of biofuels chain, called on the EU Council of Ministers on Monday 9 December to reject the draft compromise tabled by the Lithuanian Presidency to set a cap of 7% on the use of biofuels made from farm products and introduce ILUC elements (indirect land use change).
The EU28 energy ministers are expected on 12 December to draw up a common position on the draft proposal to cap first generation biofuels at 7%.
At a press conference, the six associations expressed their concerns about “the damaging impact of the proposal on European agricultural and industrial employment, regretting that neither past investment would be secured, nor would any future investment be foreseeable”. They explained: “While the document sets a limit on the production of conventional biofuels and limits them with ILUC values in reporting greenhouse gas performance of our products, it misses the opportunity to foster deployment of advanced biofuels and even threatens the 2020 renewable energy target”.
COPA-COGECA secretary general Pekka Pesonen warned: “This proposal, which limits the use of biofuels made from arable crops to 7%, is totally unacceptable and reduces credibility in the EU institutions. The move also threatens the EU's energy and climate change targets, over 200, 000 jobs mostly in rural areas, and feed supplies for animals. This is because the by-products from conventional biofuel production, such as rapeseed and oilseed meals, beet pulp and dried distillers grains play a crucial role on the feed protein market and in the EU food chain, where the EU is facing an ever-increasing shortage”.
Raffaello Garofalo, EBB Secretary General, stated: “The Lithuanian proposal does not acknowledge any efforts made by our industry in terms investment and sustainability performances. ILUC values - even for reporting - would prevent any use of biodiesel in transport, diminishing the reputation of our industry. The political proposal further threatens the overall development of renewable energy in Europe and will limit future investments in biofuels, without providing any help to decarbonise EU transport sector”. (LC/transl.fl)