Will biofuels cut our dependence on fossil fuels?

Future demand for food, feed, fibres and fuels may well be secured via renewable resources and new biological processes, said a conference on the EU’s development towards becoming a bio-economy. 

A bio-based economy is one that relies on renewable resources and new biological processes in its manufacturing base. “Such a bio-economy will assist rural development and sustainability, ensure the long-term competitiveness of the European agriculture, food and chemical industries, and reduce climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Science and Research Commissioner Janez Poto?nik in the ‘Knowledge-based bio-economy conference‘ on 15 September 2005. 

Bio-pesticides and mycoherbicides are used to protect crop, food additives and supplements (vitamins, sweeteners) colours and flavours (beta-carotene), bio-plastic or polyester made from cornstarch, majority of antibiotics, bio-fuels (bio-ethanol, bio-dieses, bio-gas) – the list and field of already existing bio-resources is long. 

However, “the current lack of harmonisation of legislation on biotechnologies presents a barrier for innovation”, said the UK Minister of State for Industry and the Regions Alun Michael. “Maintaining public confidence in biotechnologies” is also essential, he added.

The industry-led European technology platforms such as ‘Plants for the Future‘, ‘Industrial biotechnology‘ and ‘Food for Life‘ play a key role in Europe’s drive towards becoming a bio-economy. They aim to produce and use biological resources in a “sustainable, eco-efficient and competitive manner”.

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