§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what current research projects are being undertaken by his Department to study the viability of producing oilseed for non-food uses, with particular reference to the development of bio-diesel.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 25 January 1993]: My Department has commissioned work at the energy technology support unit which assesses the economics of the production of oilseed rape and its conversion to bio-diesel. This review of the potential of bio-diesel as a transport fuel will be published shortly by HMSO.
§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has held with his European counterparts about the development of bio-diesel through the growth of oilseed; and if he will list the number of hectares devoted to oilseed growth specifically for the development of bio-diesel in each EC member state.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 25 January 1993]: I chaired the Council of Energy Ministers on 30 November 1992 which discussed a proposal for a decision concerning the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community (ALTENER programme). The United Kingdom presidency secured political agreement to this programme which, inter alia, aims to secure for bio-fuels, such as bio-diesel, a market share of 5 per cent. of total consumption by motor vehicles by 2005. Bio-diesel can be derived from any oil-seed rape, thus areas grown specifically for bio-diesel cannot be separately indentified.