More biofuels for EU, but with strict adherence to environmental laws

EU had agreed earlier on in March that biofuels should make up at least 10 percent of vehicle fuels by 2020 as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change. In tune with the same it is planning to ramp up imports of biofuels from countries such as Brazil but warned producers it expected strict environmental standards to be met.

biofuelvvv 45

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said his country is now working on a certification plan for its huge biofuels industry based on environmental and labour standards and he urged rich countries not to use them as new barriers.

Some European farmers hope Brussels will favor locally produced biofuels as a new money-spinner for them. However, that is not to be the case. EU farmers group COPA-COGECA said biofuels from countries such as Brazil came at the cost of rainforest destruction and exploitation of workers, claims denied by Brazil. At the same time, European biofuels producers want protection from imports of bio-diesel from the United States and Argentina which they say are unfairly subsidized.

An EU sustainability mechanism is expected to be a part of new biofuels legislation Brussels will propose later this year. It is likely there that more efficient second-generation biofuels, will be eligible for tax exemptions and will count towards the EU's 10 percent target.

How truly sincere are these carbon concerns? After all more and more of the Amazonian rainforests are being logged to make arable land for growing Biofuels. Is the injunction of 'strict adherence to environmental laws' going to be just limited to the papers? For once the ready market is there for biofuels, production will only increase and at times at any cost.

Image credit

Source: ENN