ITRE committee adopts bio-combustibles report
The European Parliament's committee on Industry, external trade and research (ITRE) adopted a report calling for action to increase the use of biofuels in Europe on 19 June. The report, by Spanish MEP María del Pilar Ayuso González, calls on Member States to ensure that bio-combustibles account for two per cent of the fuel market by the end of 2005 and 5.75 per cent by 2010. The Commission should present a report on progress made in the introduction of bio-combustibles at the end of 2006, the report says. Bio-combustibles, fuels derived from crops such as sunflower and colza, can replace or be mixed with conventional fuels in order to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. The committee also calls for action to boost production of bio-combustibles in the EU, as demand will soon outstrip supply. They would also like to see customer preferences promote the development of more environmentally-friendly bio-combustible use. They also call for the introduction of quality standards for biodiesel to cut out the risk of interference with motor function, and for Member States to encourage the use of bio-combustibles in public transport. The report will be put to the vote at a European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg this July.