EU proposals will hit hopes of reviving sugar industry, says expert

Ireland’s hopes of reviving its sugar industry and the aligned development of its biofuels sector could be dashed by draft European proposals to reduce the amount of land devoted to biomass crops.

Irish Bioenergy Association president Tom Bruton claimed the EU’s discussion document for new rules on indirect land use change, if approved, would be disastrous for Irish biomass industries.

The proposal would change the EU target for crop-based biofuels and bioliquids from a minimum 10% to a maximum 5% target, as a percentage of renewable energy in transport. It would also introduce a multiplication factor from two to four for some wastes and residues.