The UK's Renewable Energy Association (REA), the trade association that represents the UK’s transport biofuels industry, welcomed the study of the economic and environmental impacts of biofuel production proposed by Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly yesterday (21st February).

“The REA has always supported the production of sustainable biofuels and has worked over several years, alongside Government, NGOs, academics and many others, to move towards a biofuels industry that operates under agreed environmental and social sustainability criteria.  The proposed study by the Renewable Fuels Agency is an important step in clarifying sustainability,” said Clare Wenner, Head of Transport Biofuels for the REA.

“The EU 10% target is important in ensuring transport biofuels deliver their share of greenhouse gas savings, but it is essential that they are produced sustainably and bring benefits to all levels of society in developing and developed countries alike.”

“The UK continues to lead the way in developing sustainability criteria. By taking this initiative we can demonstrate that unsustainable biofuel production is unacceptable”

UK producer D1 Oils also backed the move with Elliott Mannis, Chief Executive Officer, commenting: “Provided they are sustainable, biofuels have the potential to help reduce the impact of transport on the environment. The industry needs to take account of the risks associated with overly rapid expansion of biofuel production, particularly with regard to the indirect, or "displacement" impacts. There is no point growing biofuels if they take up arable land and force farmers to clear forest or plough up grassland.

"We believe that jatropha, our principal feedstock, offers a means to make use of land unsuitable for food production. As a result of planting on marginal lands we are actively engaged in re-forestation and the rural job creation in the developing world. Jatropha is therefore a truly sustainable solution.

We look forward to working closely with the RFA on their study and providing data on jatropha to demonstrate its ability to deliver sustainable biofuel.”

However, a cautionary note was struck by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). "This review is a welcome small step  forward but one that sidestepes the complete inadequacy of government policy on biofuels", said Dr Sue Armstrong Brown, Head of Countryside Conservation at the RSPB.

"The renewable fuel obligation could still mean forecourts selling biofuels whoes production comes at the expense of wildlife. It coud still leave motorists buying biofuel that has contributed to climate change because emission from biofuel production could be higher.

"Fuel companies will have to report back on their production methods but there will be no legal obligation to produce biofuels sustainably and no sanctions if the do not", she concluded.