To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the primary sources are of bio-fuels; and what percentage of fuels was sourced from each in the last period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. (171182)

Biofuels are currently produced from a wide range of sources, including rapeseed oil, palm oil, soya oil, wheat, sugar beet, and sugar cane. In the longer term there is the potential that biofuels may be produced from other crops and other forms of biomass, including agricultural and forestry residues and the biodegradable fraction of municipal waste. The Department does not have a detailed breakdown of the percentage of UK biofuels that come from these different sources.

Once the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) comes into effect in April 2008, transport fuel suppliers will be required to report on matters such as the feedstock from which their biofuels were produced and its country of origin. The Renewable Fuels Agency will be required to report regularly to Parliament on these matters.