Copa-Cogeca, the umbrella organisation representing Europe's farm unions and co-operatives, has slammed this week's European Parliament Environment Committee vote on future EU bio-fuels policy, warning it threatens the future of the EU bio-fuels industry that will lead to plant closures and put at risk animal feed supplies.
Copa-Cogeca secretary-general Pekka Pesonen warned: "The Committee's proposal to introduce a six per cent cap for first generation bio-fuels would lead to a big reduction in EU rapeseed surface area, to disturbances on the cereals and sugar markets, as well as a reduction in possible crop diversification through rotation.
"Capping first generation bio-fuels would prevent the EU plant protein deficit from being rebalanced. It could also prove harmful to the stability of agricultural markets and would underutilise our production capacity, especially in the new Member States where there are important productivity gains to be had.
"We support having at least eight per cent of transport fuels made from crop-based fuels. Capping them below eight per cent would also undermine investments in second-generation bio-fuels, which continue on from first generation bio-fuels and in the bio-economy in general."
Mr Pesonen went on: "In addition, we oppose the inclusion in the report by MEP Torvalds of Indirect Land Use Changes (ILUC) as the models used as a basis to introduce ILUC factors in the fuel suppliers reporting to Member States were unacceptable and not backed up by science. They also were not agreed at international level. If ILUC were accepted, they would force bio-energy plants to shut down and the bio-based economy would never become a reality."
Market round-up
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart had 31 prime cattle forward in Dumfries on Wednesday when heifers sold to 230.5p per kg and averaged 210.8p, while bullocks peaked at 212.5p and levelled at 198.4p.
There were 114 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 136.2p and dairy cows levelled at 107.2p.
The firm also sold 1118 prime hoggs to a top of £92 per head and 217p per kg to average 192.2p (-0.9p on the week).
The 612 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £156 for a Suffolk and average £81.37 (+8p), while light ewes peaked at £102.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £63.42 (-82p).
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1253 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £95 and 225.8p to average 192.1p (+5.7p).
The 190 cast sheep forward met the dearest trade ever seen at the centre with ewes selling to £150 for Texels, £109 for Mules and £94.50 for Blackfaces.
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