Study analyses biofuel production

A report by the Renewable Energy Association (REA) suggests that despite having capacity to produce more biofuel in the UK, large amounts of it may still need to be imported.

The report claims that given the potential of Brazil to produce an ethanol surplus of around 15.7 billion litres by 2020, Europe may need to realign its strategy for meeting its biofuel target through an imported gasoline pool.

Commenting on the report, Friends of the Earth's biofuels campaigner, Kenneth Richter, said: ‘The biofuel industry has finally admitted that if the UK is to meet its high targets for biofuels virtually all biodiesel for use in diesel cars will have to be imported from overseas.’

He added: ‘Increasing bioethanol production here in Britain for use in our petrol is expensive - the main reason only eight per cent of biofuels were produced here last year - and the intensification of agriculture needed would come with serious environmental consequences.