UK SUSTAINABLE BIO-DIESEL INDUSTRY

That this House recognises that bio-diesel manufactured from used cooking oil is one of the most sustainable renewable fuels available in the UK; commends companies such as McDonald's, 3663, Morrisons and many others for using high-ratio bio-diesel blends for their captive fleets and forecourt pumps; notes the Government's decision to abolish the current 20 pence per litre duty differential for bio-diesel in 2010, which will make bio-diesel significantly more expensive than road fossil fuels and therefore commercially unviable; believes that this is likely to destroy the domestic sustainable bio-diesel industry; agrees with the UK Sustainable Bio-diesel Alliance that this decision runs counter to the Government's commitment on the role bio-fuels can play in meeting domestic greenhouse gas and renewable energy targets and the recommendations made in the 2008 Gallagher Review; understands that whilst incentives for bio-diesel for road use provided through the Renewable Transport Obligation are welcome, they do not on their own provide sufficient support for the industry; and therefore urges the Government to clearly demonstrate its commitment to the sustainable bio-diesel sector by reviewing its current policies and coming forward with clear recommendations which will make the UK bio-diesel industry the most competitive in the world.