Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2008-07-08-Speech-2-414"
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"en.20080708.37.2-414"2
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"Mr President, it is true that in March 2007 the European Council approved a 10% minimum target for the share of biofuels in overall transport petrol and diesel consumption by 2020.
However, the Council also laid down certain preconditions: the target must be achieved in a cost-efficient manner; the biofuels must be produced sustainably; second-generation biofuels must become commercially available; and the Fuel Quality Directive must be amended accordingly to allow for adequate levels of blending.
To answer Mr Crowley, the Council had invited the Commission to present the necessary proposals as soon as possible. In January 2008 the Commission thus adopted a proposal for a directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. This would oblige each Member State to ensure that at least 10% of all transport fuel comes from renewable sources by 2010, as you know, and this obligation would apply not only to biofuels.
The discussions on the Commission proposal are still ongoing in the Council’s preparatory bodies and in Parliament’s competent committees. The 10% target is of course an important element of these discussions, but we cannot draw any conclusions, other than to say that it appears that it will be difficult to meet the current target.
As regards the increase in food prices, this is a complex phenomenon that has many deep-rooted causes and many consequences. The European Council of 19 and 20 June highlighted the importance of ensuring the sustainability of biofuel policies, for example by improving the production of first-generation biofuels and by encouraging the development of second-generation biofuels made from by-products.
It also underlined the need to rapidly assess possible impacts on agricultural products for food and to take action, if necessary, to address shortcomings. It agreed, too, that further assessment should also be made of the environmental and social consequences of the production and consumption of biofuels, both within the Union and outside the Union in the contacts it has with our international partners. We will therefore examine the Commission’s proposals very carefully from the point of view of both sustainability and the monitoring and evaluation arrangements. We know that Parliament is very conscious of these issues and we believe that we will be able to agree on rules that will allow us to enjoy the benefits of biofuels while minimising any harmful indirect effects."@en1
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