David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, is calling on the Government to step in and support Vivergo, one of two bioethanol factories in the UK and a key part of the farm supply chain for farmers across North Yorkshire.
Bioethanol production in the UK takes delivery of 8% of the total annual British wheat harvest. Estimates show that farmers in York and North Yorkshire produce around half-a-million tonnes of wheat each year, of which the UK’s bioethanol sector is an important market, it adds value to basic commodities, creates supply chain jobs and reduces the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, has today backed calls from the NFU for the Government to address the limitations placed on the biofuels market, including:
- An immediate move towards E20.
- Set the crop cap at its maximum permitted level under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations.
- Move to an immediate Greenhouse Gas based reporting rather than volume, as is the case for sustainable aviation fuels.
- Introduce a specific policy that prioritises biofuels that offer greater reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
- Remove double counting for supposed “wastes”.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
“Stepping in to support Vivergo by moving quickly from E10 to E20 at petrol stations would offer immediate relief to the industry and save people money in the process with cheaper fuel costs.”
“Vivergo and the biofuel industry is a huge market for farmers across York and North Yorkshire. Farmers have taken hit after hit, decade after decade. The government must take steps urgently to protect this industry and back British farmers.”
Laurie Norris, National Farmers' Union County Adviser for North Riding and Durham, said:
“Hundreds of our farmers will lose a secure market for wheat that cannot be used to make bread meaning that they will be forced to export it at lower prices and at the same time be faced with higher costs for animal feed. Without urgent government action, the UK’s bioethanol industry will simply vanish, leaving the country dependent on imported ethanol – while also losing significant domestic production of carbon dioxide and high-protein animal feed.”
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