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Contracts for Oilseed Rape on Set-Aside for the Production of UK Biodiesel
Press Release 14/08/02 Following a very successful launch at Cereals 2002 and subsequent discussion with interested parties, Renewable Energy from Agriculture (REFA) are to offer farmers contracts for oilseed rape on set-aside to be used hopefully for the production of UK biodiesel. These will be similar to existing contracts but the tonnage produced will be used to help kick start the production of UK biodiesel. Robin Twizell of REFA said that one of the problems in the development of the UK biodiesel business is the normal chicken and egg of supply and demand. "We are determined to use domestic production as one of the catalysts to develop a viable and sustainable UK based biodiesel business. REFA are in discussion with a number of UK plants with a view to processing oilseed rape oil to produce biodiesel containing UK produced oilseed rape oil. Robin Twizell believes that if a critical mass of growers producing oilseed rape for a domestic biodiesel business can be achieved it will help push the development of the necessary infrastructure. Greenergy, who were at Cereals 2002 with REFA, are already retailing biodiesel in the UK and sales of their Global Diesel have increased since the 20p per litre tax incentive was given to biodiesel. The oilseed pare contacts will be available as three options: 1. Pooled minimum price 2. £5 discount to conventional oilseed rape price 3. Fixed price Along with the contracts REFA are producing some guidelines to enhance some of the environmental benefits of biodiesel. There are certain aspects with set aside rape which can be addressed in a number of ways. For instance strips left through the crop or field margins planted with grass mixes can be bird friendly. One of the advantages of biodiesel is the reduced carbon emissions on a whole of life cycle. In order to maintain this the carbon input into the crop needs to be monitored and if possible reduced. This could be achieved by using min till techniques but this will be at individual farmer's discretion More details are available at www.refa.org.uk or Robin Twizell Tel: 01740 623300 Fax: 01740 621100, Cote Nook Farm, Sedgefield TS21 3HL |