EU slammed for sitting on report showing benefits of biofuels

Farmers Guardian reports on questions being raised about why the European Commission delayed the release of a report that showed crop-based biofuels could reduce emissions of dangerous pollutants and boost car engine performance. The Commission has now finally published the study, which was conducted in October 2015, six months after it proposed phasing out ‘greener’ petrol made from low grade wheat. Making this kind of fuel, which is blended with ethanol, provides a market for arable farmers and creates high-protein animal feed as a by-product. The Commission’s research showed increasing ethanol blends in petrol from 5% to 10% or 20% would improve air quality and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.