Report highlights progress on non food crops strategy

Significant progress in the way the UK produces and uses bioenergy and renewable materials is highlighted in a report, published today by Defra and DTI.

In particular, there has been a fivefold increase in sales of biofuels in UK between 2004 and 2005, with production of biodiesel increasing at a similar rate between 2003 and 2005.

Creating Value from Renewable Materials, reviews progress two years on from launching the original Non-Food Crops Strategy, published jointly by Defra and DTI in November 2004. It also looks at priorities for the next three years and beyond.

David Miliband, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said :

"There are clear signs that the bio renewables industry is expanding in the UK and this is set to continue. In England, we have seen increases in the numbers of farms and areas of land producing non-food crops, with sustainable and competitive growth across supply chains. There has been significant growth in the consumption and production of biofuels and use of biomass to produce heat and power.

The report also highlights considerable progress in bringing to market a range of other renewable products."

"This useful report sets out ideas for refocusing the Strategy over the next three years, with a view to further expanding the renewables sector and optimising the benefits to both the environment and UK competitiveness. We will study the suggestions in detail and respond within three months."

The report highlights that markets are gradually developing for range of innovative renewable materials and products.

Commenting on the opportunities renewable materials and bioenergy offer for developing innovation and global competitiveness, Alistair Darling, Secretary of State of Trade and Industry said:

"Bio renewables have great potential for the economy and the environment. The growth we are seeing - a 75% increase in land being used for non-food crops in the last two years alone - is very encouraging. Increasingly the farming industry is seizing on its potential.

"We have backed it with £66m through the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme. We will continue to support it.

"Whether it is biomass-sourced heat, plant-made pharmaceuticals or renewable chemicals the possibilities are developing by the day. We want to be a world leader in these new technologies, with government support, the excellence of our science base and the commitment of the industry we can be."