Brussels, 17/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - In a press statement published on Tuesday 16 January, the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations in the EU (COPA) and the General Confederation of Agricultural Co-operatives in the EU declared that the roadmap proposed by the European Commission on renewable energies goes in the right direction(EUROPE 9341). The Secretary General of these organisations, Franz-Josef Feiter, stated that the “proposal to achieve a minimum target of 10% for biofuels in transport in the EU by 2020 is essential to ensure that the CO2 emission limits in road transport are met”.
Nevertheless, COPA and COGECA consider that additional measures are needed if the EU is to achieve its aims on the climate, energy, jobs and economic growth in rural areas: in the short term to maintain the reduction in excise duties or their exemption where it exists (thanks to this commitment to this aim from the Commission and EU Member States); elimination of duty-free imports of raw materials used for producing biofuels; maintenance of the “EU 14214” standard for biodiesel; the specific use of non-denatured ethanol for carburisation purposes and the elimination of the direct incorporation constraints for bio-ethanol in fuel.
Mr Feiter concluded that, “Agriculture and forestry are in a position to play a considerable role in the fight against climate change and in the energy supply security of the European Union. This, however, requires a coherent, comprehensive and targeted European policy for renewable raw materials.” (lc)