NFU in bid to protect biofuels production
THE Department for Transport is consulting on future biofuels policy in the UK up to 2020 and beyond to 2030.
The proposals include the setting of the controversial crop cap, which will limit the amount of crop-based biofuels which can be used on UK roads.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) is now calling on people to explain to the DfT why the biofuel industry is important to farmers. What is the DfT proposing? Following the adaption of the Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) Directive in Brussels, all EU member states are required to introduce a crop cap of up to 7%.
This cap will effectively limit the amount of crop-based biofuels able to be used on domestic roads.
In its current consultation, the DfT has proposed options of 0%, 2% and 7% with 2% its preferred option.
The NFU believes the crop cap should be set at 7%.
Setting it any lower would further constrict the UK biofuel industry and would place us at a competitive disadvantage to our European neighbours; it could also risk the UK not achieving its domestic and European renewable energy targets.
The biofuel market is a key outlet for UK arable production and when faced with volatile commodity prices, it provides stability to arable farming incomes. The NFU says that it is therefore vital for the market to remain open and be given incentives. How can I get involved? The NFU will respond to the consultation.
However, it wants farmers’ help in demonstrating the importance of this issue to the agricultural industry.
The consultation covers more than just the crop cap and the NFU suggests writing a letter tailored to specific sections rather than responding to the whole consultation.
In the letter you should state that you are responding formally to the RTFO consultation and, in particular, to Question 13, relating to the level at which to set the crop cap. What should my letter say? Personal letters always have the most impact so we are not producing a template to follow, but the NFU has pulled together some key facts and questions you could consider when writing your letter:
How and why is the biofuel market important to your business?
What would the impact of losing the biofuel market be on you and your business – would you still grow the same crops? If so, where else could or would you market your crops?
The NFU considers the biofuel industry as having a stabilising impact on farm incomes – putting a floor in the market – has this security enabled you to make on farm investment and better business decisions?
Other topics also worth mentioning are: markets, Brexit, sustainability and animal feed.
Who should I write to and when is the deadline?
You should address your letter to: Michael Wright, Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR
Or email it to: LowCarbonFuel.Consultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk
You could also consider sending a copy of the letter to your local MP.
The consultation closes on Friday January 22.
For further information and guidance go to www.nfuonline.com