§ Mrs. Helen ClarkTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the extent to which the proposed 20p rebate on biodiesel will stimulate production of biodiesel in order to meet the expected EU targets for road transport fuel to be from bio sources.[8611]
§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal steps he has taken to ensure that the United Kingdom can meet the European Commission target for road transport fuel to be provided by biofuels by the year 2005. [9426]
§ Mr. BoatengUnder the Green Fuel Challenge launched in November last year, the Government announced that, subject to EU agreement, it will introduce a new duty rate for biodiesel in Budget 2002, at 20p per litre below the rate for ultra-low sulphur diesel. This rate takes account of the environmental benefits of using biodiesel.
The rate for biodiesel will be reviewed each year in the light of the prevailing social and economic circumstances, including any relevant European requirements. At present, the European Union has not published any targets for the use of biofuels as road transport fuel.