"Biogas before Biofuels", says MEP
14 March 2008
In a debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg Jim Allister MEP gave strong support to the promotion and development of biogas production within the EU. Drawing parallels with the EU's over- indulgence of biofuels, which has both diminished food production and increased feedstock prices, the Traditional Unionist MEP highlighted that biogas, on the other hand, complemented agriculture by producing a viable and profitable solution for agricultural waste.
Speaking on a report from the Agriculture Committee Mr Allister said:-
"I welcome the recognition of the potential for a considerable increase in biogas production. It ticks the boxes of helping livestock farmers tap into an alternative income stream and at the same time makes a worthwhile contribution to the environment by solving problems allied to the disposal of agricultural waste. A third distinct advantage for biogas is that, unlike biofuels, it helps, not hinders, food security. Therein is a key advantage for biogas: using waste rather than crops it does not discourage essential feedstock production.
The fledging biogas sector needs meaningful start-up support, with a uniform support instrument across the EU, rather than the sporadic patchwork of support which we have at the moment.
Also, extra research support to exploit second generation biogas as a biofuel is a forward-looking necessity.
So, there is much that can and should be done to promote biogas and at the same time make agriculture more sustainable. I believe we grossly miscalculated in over-indulging biofuels, lets not compound that error by under-valuing biogas."
