Biofuel introduction may be delayed

Updated 07.51 Tue Jul 08 2008

Keywords: biofuels, environment, Government

The Government has said it will "proceed cautiously" over the introduction of biofuels, after a report found they could be increasing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to food price rises.

A report commissioned by ministers recommended that the Government should slow down efforts to get suppliers to use biofuels to make up five per cent of fuel sold on UK forecourts.

"We need to proceed cautiously until we can be certain that their expanded growth and use maximises the benefits and minimises the risks to our world" - Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly

The review said the slow down should happen until controls are in place to prevent higher food prices and land being switched from forests or agriculture to growing fuels.

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly told MPs the investigation by Professor Ed Gallagher concluded that "uncontrolled expansion" in the biofuels industry could actually lead to an increased climate change threat if rainforests were felled to make way for crops.

She said the Government would consult on slowing the rate at which the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) was introduced, to delay reaching the five per cent target from 2010-11 to 2013-14.

Ms Kelly said her approach "acknowledges that biofuels can have an important role in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change."

But, she said: "We need to proceed cautiously until we can be certain that their expanded growth and use maximises the benefits and minimises the risks to our world."

For Tories, Theresa Villiers said the RTFO had been criticised by an array of environmental pressure groups and Ms Kelly's statement "provides very limited reassurance".

She said Ms Kelly had "acknowledged there is a serious problem with her biofuel policy".