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2009-10
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2009-10 (71)
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To ask the Chairman of Committees how much the House of Lords Business Plan 2010-11, which was mailed to members of the House, cost to produce, print and distribute.
To ask the Chairman of Committees how much the House of Lords Business Plan 2010-11, which was mailed to members of the House, cost to produce, print and distribute.
Asked by
Lord Palmer
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Brabazon of Tara
(Non-affiliated)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
29 March 2010
The production, printing and distribution costs of this year's business plan were £3,238.82.
Subjects
Expenditure; Distribution; Publishing; Production; Business Plan (HL)
Date
29 March 2010
Reference
3102; 718 c350-1WA
House
House of Lords
My right hon. Friend will know that my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen) has introduced a Bill to establish a grocery ombudsman. Will my right hon. Friend do everything in his power to ensure that the Bill reaches the statute book, so that an ombudsman can be established?
My right hon. Friend will know that my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen) has introduced a Bill to establish a grocery ombudsman. Will my right hon. Friend do everything in his power to ensure that the Bill reaches the statute book, so that an ombudsman can be established?
Asked by
Nia Griffith
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
25 March 2010
As my hon. Friend will be aware, the Government—having carefully considered the Competition Commission's recommendation—have accepted the need for a means to enforce the new grocery supply code of practice. We are in the middle of a consultation on the most effective enforcement mechanism, and clearly a person or persons will need to undertake that job. I hope that everyone will contribute to that consultation so that we can get on with this as soon as possible.
Subjects
Food; Production
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c358
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Like my right hon. Friend, I mourn and miss Ashok Kumar greatly. I knew him very well; he was a close personal friend and constituency neighbour.
I welcome the Food 2030 document that the Secretary of State has produced, but will the Government make additional funding available for research to enable food manufacturers and farmers to produce food with a lower carbon footprint and less impact on the environment?
Like my right hon. Friend, I mourn and miss Ashok Kumar greatly. I knew him very well; he was a close personal friend and constituency neighbour.
I welcome the Food 2030 document that the Secretary of State has produced, but will the Government make additional funding available for research to enable food manufacturers and farmers to produce food with a lower carbon footprint and less impact on the environment?
Asked by
Hugh Bayley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
25 March 2010
We have responded to the call for even more investment in research in the food and farming sector, particularly with the additional funding of £50 million announced by the Technology Strategy Board last year. The board was set up to look at opportunities for the future for industry in the UK, so the fact that it has recognised the sector is warmly welcomed, and it will support a wide range of research. My hon. Friend is right: we will have to produce more food in a way that reduces our carbon emissions.
Subjects
Food; Production
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c357-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What steps his Department is taking to assist the food industry in the current economic climate.
What steps his Department is taking to assist the food industry in the current economic climate.
Asked by
Hugh Bayley
(Labour)
Answered by
Hilary Benn
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
22 March 2010
For answer on
25 March 2010
Answered on
25 March 2010
Mr. Speaker, it would not be right to let this moment pass without remembering our good friend and colleague, Ashok Kumar, who died so suddenly last week. He was my Parliamentary Private Secretary for seven years, so I find it hard to believe that when I turn my head I will not see him sitting behind me. He was a gentle man, a pioneer and extremely proud of his Indian heritage. He was a scientist and, above all, he was a magnificent fighter for his constituents. I know that the whole House will mourn his passing.
The Government are taking a number of steps to support the UK food industry, which is our biggest manufacturing sector, including the Food 2030 strategy; more investment in research and development; consulting on a supermarket ombudsman; the agri-skills plan; and the work of the task forces to assist the pig sector and to encourage more production and consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Subjects
Food; Production
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c357; 324046
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What steps his Department is taking to assist the food industry in the current economic climate.
What steps his Department is taking to assist the food industry in the current economic climate.
Asked by
Nia Griffith
(Labour)
Answered by
Hilary Benn
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
22 March 2010
For answer on
25 March 2010
Answered on
25 March 2010
Mr. Speaker, it would not be right to let this moment pass without remembering our good friend and colleague, Ashok Kumar, who died so suddenly last week. He was my Parliamentary Private Secretary for seven years, so I find it hard to believe that when I turn my head I will not see him sitting behind me. He was a gentle man, a pioneer and extremely proud of his Indian heritage. He was a scientist and, above all, he was a magnificent fighter for his constituents. I know that the whole House will mourn his passing.
The Government are taking a number of steps to support the UK food industry, which is our biggest manufacturing sector, including the Food 2030 strategy; more investment in research and development; consulting on a supermarket ombudsman; the agri-skills plan; and the work of the task forces to assist the pig sector and to encourage more production and consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Subjects
Food; Production
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c357; 324060
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, it would not be right to let this moment pass without remembering our good friend and colleague, Ashok Kumar, who died so suddenly last week. He was my Parliamentary Private Secretary for seven years, so I find it hard to believe that when I turn my head I will not see him sitting behind me. He was a gentle man, a pioneer and extremely proud of his Indian heritage. He was a scientist and, above all, he was a magnificent fighter for his constituents. I know that the whole House will mourn his passing.
The Government are taking a number of steps to support the UK food industry, which is our biggest manufacturing sector, including the Food 2030 strategy; more investment in research and development; consulting on a supermarket ombudsman; the agri-skills plan; and the work of the task forces to assist the pig sector and to encourage more production and consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Mr. Speaker, it would not be right to let this moment pass without remembering our good friend and colleague, Ashok Kumar, who died so suddenly last week. He was my Parliamentary Private Secretary for seven years, so I find it hard to believe that when I turn my head I will not see him sitting behind me. He was a gentle man, a pioneer and extremely proud of his Indian heritage. He was a scientist and, above all, he was a magnificent fighter for his constituents. I know that the whole House will mourn his passing.
The Government are taking a number of steps to support the UK food industry, which is our biggest manufacturing sector, including the Food 2030 strategy; more investment in research and development; consulting on a supermarket ombudsman; the agri-skills plan; and the work of the task forces to assist the pig sector and to encourage more production and consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Answered by
Hilary Benn
(Labour)
Asked by
Nia Griffith
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
What steps his Department is taking to assist the food industry in the current economic climate.
Subjects
Food; Production
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c357
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
We have responded to the call for even more investment in research in the food and farming sector, particularly with the additional funding of £50 million announced by the Technology Strategy Board last year. The board was set up to look at opportunities for the future for industry in the UK, so the fact that it has recognised the sector is warmly welcomed, and it will support a wide range of research. My hon. Friend is right: we will have to produce more food in a way that reduces our carbon emissions.
We have responded to the call for even more investment in research in the food and farming sector, particularly with the additional funding of £50 million announced by the Technology Strategy Board last year. The board was set up to look at opportunities for the future for industry in the UK, so the fact that it has recognised the sector is warmly welcomed, and it will support a wide range of research. My hon. Friend is right: we will have to produce more food in a way that reduces our carbon emissions.
Answered by
Hilary Benn
(Labour)
Asked by
Hugh Bayley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
Like my right hon. Friend, I mourn and miss Ashok Kumar greatly. I knew him very well; he was a close personal friend and constituency neighbour.
I welcome the Food 2030 document that the Secretary of State has produced, but will the Government make additional funding available for research to enable food manufacturers and farmers to produce food with a lower carbon footprint and less impact on the environment?
Subjects
Food; Production
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c357-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
As my hon. Friend will be aware, the Government—having carefully considered the Competition Commission's recommendation—have accepted the need for a means to enforce the new grocery supply code of practice. We are in the middle of a consultation on the most effective enforcement mechanism, and clearly a person or persons will need to undertake that job. I hope that everyone will contribute to that consultation so that we can get on with this as soon as possible.
As my hon. Friend will be aware, the Government—having carefully considered the Competition Commission's recommendation—have accepted the need for a means to enforce the new grocery supply code of practice. We are in the middle of a consultation on the most effective enforcement mechanism, and clearly a person or persons will need to undertake that job. I hope that everyone will contribute to that consultation so that we can get on with this as soon as possible.
Answered by
Hilary Benn
(Labour)
Asked by
Nia Griffith
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
My right hon. Friend will know that my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen) has introduced a Bill to establish a grocery ombudsman. Will my right hon. Friend do everything in his power to ensure that the Bill reaches the statute book, so that an ombudsman can be established?
Subjects
Food; Production
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c358
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
May I add my words of regret at the passing of Ashok Kumar, whom I first met in 1991 on the streets during the Langbaurgh by-election? It is always confounding to meet an opponent who turns out to be full of warmth, integrity and decency. He will be very sadly missed.
One way to assist the food industry would be to ensure that British food producers stay in business. My survey of food producers in Lancashire and Cumbria shows that more than 80 per cent. are still waiting for their single farm payment and face business collapse as a consequence. Will the Secretary of State intervene directly to ensure immediate interim payments to keep our farmers and food producers in business?
May I add my words of regret at the passing of Ashok Kumar, whom I first met in 1991 on the streets during the Langbaurgh by-election? It is always confounding to meet an opponent who turns out to be full of warmth, integrity and decency. He will be very sadly missed.
One way to assist the food industry would be to ensure that British food producers stay in business. My survey of food producers in Lancashire and Cumbria shows that more than 80 per cent. are still waiting for their single farm payment and face business collapse as a consequence. Will the Secretary of State intervene directly to ensure immediate interim payments to keep our farmers and food producers in business?
Asked by
Tim Farron
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
25 March 2010
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind words about Ashok Kumar.
As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, 93 per cent. of the payments have been made and the Rural Payments Agency has once again exceeded the targets that we set, so its recovery is continuing. As he will know, interim payments create some difficulties, but we have always made it very clear that if farmers are genuinely in dire circumstances they should contact the RPA and we will see what we can do.
Subjects
Food; Production
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c358-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Well, it shows the resilience and strength of the sector despite the difficult economic circumstances that we have been going through. It is a tribute to the skill and professionalism of those who work in the sector and it is further evidence that over the months and years ahead we will see increased demand for food, food production and food products. We will need farmers and those working in the food sector to produce that food. The fact that it is our largest manufacturing sector, employing some 3.6 million people, is a sign of its strength and importance.
Well, it shows the resilience and strength of the sector despite the difficult economic circumstances that we have been going through. It is a tribute to the skill and professionalism of those who work in the sector and it is further evidence that over the months and years ahead we will see increased demand for food, food production and food products. We will need farmers and those working in the food sector to produce that food. The fact that it is our largest manufacturing sector, employing some 3.6 million people, is a sign of its strength and importance.
Answered by
Hilary Benn
(Labour)
Asked by
Christopher Fraser
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
According to the Food and Drink Federation, this sector is the only manufacturing sector to record an increase in production throughout January 2010. What lessons will the Minister take from that?
Subjects
Food; Production
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c358
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
According to the Food and Drink Federation, this sector is the only manufacturing sector to record an increase in production throughout January 2010. What lessons will the Minister take from that?
According to the Food and Drink Federation, this sector is the only manufacturing sector to record an increase in production throughout January 2010. What lessons will the Minister take from that?
Asked by
Christopher Fraser
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
25 March 2010
Well, it shows the resilience and strength of the sector despite the difficult economic circumstances that we have been going through. It is a tribute to the skill and professionalism of those who work in the sector and it is further evidence that over the months and years ahead we will see increased demand for food, food production and food products. We will need farmers and those working in the food sector to produce that food. The fact that it is our largest manufacturing sector, employing some 3.6 million people, is a sign of its strength and importance.
Subjects
Food; Production
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c358
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind words about Ashok Kumar.
As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, 93 per cent. of the payments have been made and the Rural Payments Agency has once again exceeded the targets that we set, so its recovery is continuing. As he will know, interim payments create some difficulties, but we have always made it very clear that if farmers are genuinely in dire circumstances they should contact the RPA and we will see what we can do.
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind words about Ashok Kumar.
As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, 93 per cent. of the payments have been made and the Rural Payments Agency has once again exceeded the targets that we set, so its recovery is continuing. As he will know, interim payments create some difficulties, but we have always made it very clear that if farmers are genuinely in dire circumstances they should contact the RPA and we will see what we can do.
Answered by
Hilary Benn
(Labour)
Asked by
Tim Farron
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
May I add my words of regret at the passing of Ashok Kumar, whom I first met in 1991 on the streets during the Langbaurgh by-election? It is always confounding to meet an opponent who turns out to be full of warmth, integrity and decency. He will be very sadly missed.
One way to assist the food industry would be to ensure that British food producers stay in business. My survey of food producers in Lancashire and Cumbria shows that more than 80 per cent. are still waiting for their single farm payment and face business collapse as a consequence. Will the Secretary of State intervene directly to ensure immediate interim payments to keep our farmers and food producers in business?
Subjects
Food; Production
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c358-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, it would not be right to let this moment pass without remembering our good friend and colleague, Ashok Kumar, who died so suddenly last week. He was my Parliamentary Private Secretary for seven years, so I find it hard to believe that when I turn my head I will not see him sitting behind me. He was a gentle man, a pioneer and extremely proud of his Indian heritage. He was a scientist and, above all, he was a magnificent fighter for his constituents. I know that the whole House will mourn his passing.
The Government are taking a number of steps to support the UK food industry, which is our biggest manufacturing sector, including the Food 2030 strategy; more investment in research and development; consulting on a supermarket ombudsman; the agri-skills plan; and the work of the task forces to assist the pig sector and to encourage more production and consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Mr. Speaker, it would not be right to let this moment pass without remembering our good friend and colleague, Ashok Kumar, who died so suddenly last week. He was my Parliamentary Private Secretary for seven years, so I find it hard to believe that when I turn my head I will not see him sitting behind me. He was a gentle man, a pioneer and extremely proud of his Indian heritage. He was a scientist and, above all, he was a magnificent fighter for his constituents. I know that the whole House will mourn his passing.
The Government are taking a number of steps to support the UK food industry, which is our biggest manufacturing sector, including the Food 2030 strategy; more investment in research and development; consulting on a supermarket ombudsman; the agri-skills plan; and the work of the task forces to assist the pig sector and to encourage more production and consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Answered by
Hilary Benn
(Labour)
Asked by
Hugh Bayley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
What steps his Department is taking to assist the food industry in the current economic climate.
Subjects
Food; Production
Date
25 March 2010
Reference
508 c357
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
My Lords, the independent Gallagher review found that biofuels have the potential to achieve approximately 338 million to 371 million tonnes of global CO2 savings a year. We have commissioned research on the emissions from different forms of biofuel production to inform future policy in this area. Biofuels will become the first agricultural commodity with mandatory European sustainability standards by 2011.
My Lords, the independent Gallagher review found that biofuels have the potential to achieve approximately 338 million to 371 million tonnes of global CO2 savings a year. We have commissioned research on the emissions from different forms of biofuel production to inform future policy in this area. Biofuels will become the first agricultural commodity with mandatory European sustainability standards by 2011.
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will review the renewable transport fuel obligation following the finding of the report commissioned by the Department for Transport that the production of biofuels will result in forests being logged or burnt down and converted to plantations.
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In doing so, I declare an interest, this time as a grower of sugar beet, which may be used as a biofuel.
Subjects
Biofuels; Forests; Production; Tree felling; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c667
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
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?
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?
Asked by
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
18 March 2010
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.
Subjects
Biofuels; Sustainable development; Renewable transport fuel obligation; Forests; Production; Tree felling
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c667-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
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.
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.
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
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?
Subjects
Biofuels; Forests; Production; Tree felling; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c667-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I speak as one of the instigators of the RTFO and as a biofuel supplier and grower. Does not the Minister agree that, to meet the RTFO, all biofuels must come from truly sustainable sources, and, one hopes, from sources within the European Union?
My Lords, I speak as one of the instigators of the RTFO and as a biofuel supplier and grower. Does not the Minister agree that, to meet the RTFO, all biofuels must come from truly sustainable sources, and, one hopes, from sources within the European Union?
Asked by
Lord Palmer
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
18 March 2010
My Lords, I indeed agree and pay tribute to the noble Lord for his work in this area. To give an example, the Ensus biofuels from wheat plant that recently began operation in Teeside claims that it can produce a third of our current biofuel obligation under the RTFO when it is fully operational. Using British and European wheat for biofuels is a positive use of land. It encourages wheat production, which has positive co-products, including animal feed.
Subjects
Biofuels; Forests; Production; Tree felling; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c668
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the noble Lord makes an important point about electric car production. Today, we have announced that the Leaf will be produced in the north-east. That is a decisive step forward in making the United Kingdom a manufacturing base for plug-in hybrid and electric cars. We have also recently provided £30 million of funding for a plugged-in places initiative that will identify three significant regional centres for electric charging infrastructure: London, the north-east and Milton Keynes. I launched that scheme in London a few weeks ago in a supermarket car park, so we are taking very seriously the points that the noble Lord raises. It is important that, over time, we establish an electric charging infrastructure across the country that encourages people, including those who do not have off-street parking, to buy electric and hybrid cars.
My Lords, the noble Lord makes an important point about electric car production. Today, we have announced that the Leaf will be produced in the north-east. That is a decisive step forward in making the United Kingdom a manufacturing base for plug-in hybrid and electric cars. We have also recently provided £30 million of funding for a plugged-in places initiative that will identify three significant regional centres for electric charging infrastructure: London, the north-east and Milton Keynes. I launched that scheme in London a few weeks ago in a supermarket car park, so we are taking very seriously the points that the noble Lord raises. It is important that, over time, we establish an electric charging infrastructure across the country that encourages people, including those who do not have off-street parking, to buy electric and hybrid cars.
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Addington
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, does the Minister agree that no matter how we produce oil, there will always be some downsides? Bearing that in mind, does he agree that encouraging the use of public transport should be seen as the major answer to transport needs in future? Furthermore, if cars are to be needed for short journeys, considering the increase in the production of electric cars which has been announced, will he ensure that all new train station car parks can charge those cars?
Subjects
Biofuels; Forests; Production; Tree felling; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c668
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I indeed agree and pay tribute to the noble Lord for his work in this area. To give an example, the Ensus biofuels from wheat plant that recently began operation in Teeside claims that it can produce a third of our current biofuel obligation under the RTFO when it is fully operational. Using British and European wheat for biofuels is a positive use of land. It encourages wheat production, which has positive co-products, including animal feed.
My Lords, I indeed agree and pay tribute to the noble Lord for his work in this area. To give an example, the Ensus biofuels from wheat plant that recently began operation in Teeside claims that it can produce a third of our current biofuel obligation under the RTFO when it is fully operational. Using British and European wheat for biofuels is a positive use of land. It encourages wheat production, which has positive co-products, including animal feed.
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Palmer
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I speak as one of the instigators of the RTFO and as a biofuel supplier and grower. Does not the Minister agree that, to meet the RTFO, all biofuels must come from truly sustainable sources, and, one hopes, from sources within the European Union?
Subjects
Biofuels; Forests; Production; Tree felling; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c668
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, there are so many EU reports; I am not quite sure to which one the noble Baroness refers. If she would like to give me more precise particulars, I will be happy to follow up with her as to the publication.
I turn to palm oil, which is the particular source of biofuels at issue in the research work reported in the newspapers recently. It is important to understand that palm oil is a small proportion of biofuel production. It accounts for 10 per cent of the 1,284 million litres of biofuel used in the UK in 2008-09, and less than 4 per cent of global demand for palm oil comes from biofuels. It is not the case that all palm oil production is unsustainable, even in the terms of the research that was conducted. Research carried out by the Renewable Fuels Agency suggests that certain practices can be undertaken to limit the unwanted impacts of biofuels. Specifically to palm oil, this report highlighted that there are potentially 35 million hectares of unused land in Asia where suitable biofuel production, including palm oil production, could take place. The issue at stake is not simply the source of the biofuels but the land in question when it comes to production. Clearly, deforestation or the transfer of land from agricultural purposes to certain types of biofuel production may be undesirable, but there is plenty of marginal or unproductive land across the world which would be suitable for these forms of biofuel production.
My Lords, there are so many EU reports; I am not quite sure to which one the noble Baroness refers. If she would like to give me more precise particulars, I will be happy to follow up with her as to the publication.
I turn to palm oil, which is the particular source of biofuels at issue in the research work reported in the newspapers recently. It is important to understand that palm oil is a small proportion of biofuel production. It accounts for 10 per cent of the 1,284 million litres of biofuel used in the UK in 2008-09, and less than 4 per cent of global demand for palm oil comes from biofuels. It is not the case that all palm oil production is unsustainable, even in the terms of the research that was conducted. Research carried out by the Renewable Fuels Agency suggests that certain practices can be undertaken to limit the unwanted impacts of biofuels. Specifically to palm oil, this report highlighted that there are potentially 35 million hectares of unused land in Asia where suitable biofuel production, including palm oil production, could take place. The issue at stake is not simply the source of the biofuels but the land in question when it comes to production. Clearly, deforestation or the transfer of land from agricultural purposes to certain types of biofuel production may be undesirable, but there is plenty of marginal or unproductive land across the world which would be suitable for these forms of biofuel production.
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Hanham
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, the E4tech report indicated that there were grave problems with biofuels and the stripping down of rainforests internationally. The EU has also produced a report which, as has been said, has not been published. Has the Secretary of State had sight of that EU report? If so, what did it say?
Subjects
Biofuels; Forests; Production; Tree felling; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c669
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords