Farming Showing the Way on Climate Change - UK - The NFU has welcomed comments from Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and Secretary of State, Margaret Beckett, acknowledging climate change as “one of the most important issues on the world’s political and scientific agenda”(*1). And has called on the Government to commit to a UK biofuel and biomass policy to help deliver the positive, sustainable and long-term environmental benefits needed to reverse climate change.

Following a meeting with US President, George W Bush, Mr Blair stated that there is: “a common commitment and desire to tackle the challenges of climate change, of energy security and energy supply.” UK farmers are capable of making a significant contribution to that commitment and desire, but Government policy must be put in place to encourage investment in biofuel refineries.

NFU President, Tim Bennett, said: “Climate change is one of the major issues facing Britain’s farmers and I applaud the decision to put it at the centre of discussions at the G8 summit.

“Farmers in the UK have the potential to deliver significant environmental outcomes on a regular basis and on a large scale. UK farmers already have the capability but are waiting for a committed, long-term policy to promote the development of a domestic biofuel industry.

Mr Bennett continued: “The Government commitment to offset the CO2 emissions generated as a result of activities associated with the G8 Presidency through African based Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects is admirable but small scale. Domestically much more can be done. Just 1,300 hectares of UK grown wheat could deliver the same outcomes (*2), but government policies need to be put in place to focus that resource. Encouragement is needed to promote investment in biofuel refineries.”

Source: National Farmers Union - 9th June 2005