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ENVI committee backs biofuel cap

11 July, the Environment Committee (ENVI) of the European Parliament adopted MEP Corinne Lepage’s report on the revision of the RED and FQD Directive with 43 votes in favour and 26 against, writes ePURE in a press release.

The committee voted 43-26 to raise the cap to 5.5%. The figure is a compromise, since the centre-right EPP group wanted the cap to be higher at around 7 % or no cap at all. The parliament's energy committee voted last month for a 6.5 % cap. Member states are split on the subject.   

The decision also included mandatory reporting of ‘ILUC factors' in the fuel quality directive.

In particular the proposal to set a 5.5 % cap on the use of first generation biofuels is of concern for existing and future investments as well as for job opportunities in the European renewable ethanol sector, which has already invested nearly 8 billion euros in the past 8 years, creating 70,000 direct and indirect jobs, and providing government revenue of 300 million euros in France alone, writes ePURE.

“We fear with that with this curb, Europe risks throwing the baby out with the bath water”, says ePURE’s Secretary-General, Rob Vierhout. 

“With the right framework renewable ethanol made in Europe makes an important contribution to the transition to low carbon transport and responsible economic growth. This home-grown sustainable and renewable source of energy can benefit Europeans and the European economy whilst reducing transport emissions by up to 90 % compared to fossil fuels.”

European producers of renewable ethanol strongly support the need to ensure access to food for all. This is why we commit to providing food and fuel. In fact the sector produces as much food as ethanol. The high protein animal feed that we produce helps Europe lower imports and is of strategic importance for EU livestock farmers, who face an ominous protein deficit. As a result, nearly one million hectares of third country lands cultivated for animal feed can be used for other purposes.

With a stable regulatory framework, 1.7 million hectares of abandoned arable agricultural land in Europe can be made productive, more investments can be made and more people can be employed in the simultaneous production of clean transportation fuels and GMO free animal feed.

The European renewable ethanol industry is looking to the plenary session in September to reconfirm EU leadership and commitment to decisive climate action that goes hand in hand with economic growth and job creation by adopting a text that helps Europe to continue to:

  • Diversify and secure Energy Supply in the EU
  • Rely on mature and validated science to design policy measures
  • Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transport
  • Contribute to Food Security in Europe
  • Improve the efficient use of natural resources
  • Drive Jobs and Growth

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