Biofuel boost not without risks

Setting a higher mandatory level for biofuel in road petrol could result in the reopening of bio-ethanol plants in the north of England – with knock-on benefits for Scottish grain growers.

But while recognising the benefits, NFU Scotland has also warned that consumers should be protected from problems like the widespread blocked filter issues encountered in agricultural vehicles last winter.

Responding to a Department for Transport (DFT) consultation on the introduction of E10 petrol as the standard petrol grade across the UK by 2021, the union highlighted both the benefits and possible risks of such a move.

With petrol currently containing up to 5 per cent ethanol, the proposed switch would see this rise to 10 per cent, with a consequent fall in CO2 emissions.

But the union stressed that it was essential all fuel was fit for purpose – adding that the DFT, alongside industry, had a role to play in ensuring consumers were protected.

“It is essential that consumers do not bear any mechanical issues and costs associated with the switch. Problems such the filter blocking disaster that many farmers faced last year simply cannot be repeated,” said the NFU’S Tom French.

The union also voiced concerns about compatibility of the fuel with agricultural vehicles and equipment:

“Whilst the DFT estimate that 98 per cent of the roadgoing fleet will be compatible with E10 petrol, there is no information about how many off-road machines, farm vehicles or pieces of agricultural equipment may be impacted by the switch,” said French who stressed that such vehicles were often kept for far longer than their roadgoing equivalents.