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No volte-face on EU biofuels policy

22 January 2008

There will be no volte-face on the EU's biofuels policy, according to agriculture chief Mariann Fischer Boel.

The commissioner comments came after a working paper was leaked on Friday, which reportedly said the cost of plans to use biofuels to cut emissions ¿will almost certainly outweigh the benefits¿.

Mrs Boel was quoted as telling delegates at the National Association of German Food Industries: "Don¿t expect a U-turn on overall biofuels policy any time soon."

She went on to say the target was 'modest' compared to the economies of Brazil and the US.

The goal was attainable and necessary if the EU is serious about energy security and climate change, she added.

In the UK from April, petrol and diesel must have 2.5 per cent biofuels, rising to five per cent by 2010.

The commission is to set to unveil new proposals on CO2 emissions, renewable energy sources, biofuels and carbon sequestration on Wednesday.

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