Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 18 March 2010.

Transport: Renewable Fuels Obligation

Question: I thank the Secretary of State for that Answer. Given that the Renewable Fuels Agency states that only 4 per cent of biofuels imported for use in the UK meet the environmental sustainability standards set by the RTFO, how can he be satisfied with the scheme?

Answer: My Lords, a good deal of research is taking place in this area. A research programme is in place at the moment to quantify and mitigate the impacts of indirect land-use change in respect of biofuels. The UK research is due to be completed this summer and we will publish it. It will feed into a consultation being held by the European Commission on the subject later this year. That will form part of the obligation on the European Commission to produce a report on indirect land-use change and, if appropriate, to propose a methodology to account for indirect land-use change in future.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 718 c667-8
Session: 2009-10
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Biofuels Sustainable development Renewable transport fuel obligation Forests Production Tree felling
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk