To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what her Department's projections of UK biofuel consumption in millions of litres are for (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010. (208502)

The renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) came into effect on 15 April 2008. In simple terms, it requires suppliers of fossil-based road transport fuels in the UK to ensure that a specified percentage of their total road transport fuel sales are made up of renewable transport fuels. The level of the RTFO is 2.5 per cent. in 2008-09, and this is due to rise to 3.75 per cent. in 2009-10 and 5 per cent. in 2010-11.

In broad terms, it is likely to equate to around 1.25 billion litres of biofuel being consumed in the year from 15 April 2008 to 14 April 2009, rising to around 1.9 billion litres in 2009-10 and around 2.5 billion litres in 2010-11.

The Renewable Fuels Agency will be publishing details of UK biofuel sales on a regular basis via its website at

http://www.dft.gov.uk/rfa/.

Monthly data in respect of all UK road transport fuel sales are also available via the HM Revenue and Customs website at:

http://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=bulloil.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment she has made of the effect of global food price rises on the Government's biofuels policy. (211982)

The Government take very seriously concerns over rising global food prices. A large number of factors, including biofuel demand, may be contributing to the situation. The Secretary of State for Transport has asked Professor Ed Gallagher, Chairman of the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA), to lead a review into the indirect effects of biofuels production, including on global commodity and food prices. It is due to report at the end of June. The review's findings will inform the development of the Government's biofuel policies and targets.

Further details are available on the RFA's website at:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/rfa/reportsandpublications/reviewoftheindirecteffectsofbiofuels.cfm.