European Parliament to Limit the Amount of Agricultural Land that Can be Used for the Production of Biofuels

On September 11^th, the European Parliament passed legislation calling for a cap on traditional biofuels and a switch to alternative biofuels, such as products derived from seaweed.  Member states must ensure that renewable energy accounts for at least 10% of energy consumption in transport by 2020 and that biofuels from traditional sources only account for 6% of energy consumption in transport.

The measure aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through “Indirect Land Use Change” by stopping additional turnover of agricultural land to biofuel production.

To see the European Parliament’s official press release please click here.

Written by Joseph Negaard - Research Assistant

The Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center

@PSUAgLawCenter

September 24, 2013