7/03/2007
CIAA statement on the Renewable Energy Package
Highlight of the CIAA position on the EU Renewable Energy Package

As a key manufacturing sector in the EU and a major purchaser of agricultural products, CIAA’s objective in the debate on renewable energy and biofuels is to ensure that the impact on all related policies is taken into account and that particular attention is given to ensuring availability and competitiveness of agricultural raw material supplies for the production of food and drink products.

CIAA is concerned about the impact that a 10% legally binding target will have on the supply of agricultural raw materials for food and drink industries, in terms of both availability and price. The food and drink industry processes approximately 70% of EU agricultural production. It is competing for the same raw materials that supply bio-fuels’ companies.

CIAA calls on EU Member States:

(a) to ensure that food production remains the primary outlet for farming activity;

(b) to encourage the Commission to take initiatives in order to increase the possible feedstock supply for all markets in a balanced way (removal of set-aside, legal framework for the use of waste, trade measures);

(c) to review carefully the impact analysis on land use and price increases carried out by the Commission, considering that the models used and the calculations carried out should be clarified;

(d) to ensure that the EU framework provides sufficient flexibility to take into account national situations, feedstock availability and technological advances and that it avoids market distortions;

(e) to avoid cases of crop failure leading to crisis situations in the food sector;

(f) to encourage and step up research and development of most efficient feedstock for the use as bio-fuels with a view to increasing possible sources of raw materials and to enhancing feedstock availability. Any binding character of a target, if this approach is retained, must be conditional to production being sustainable and to second-generation bio-fuels becoming economically viable.

Any European energy policy must integrate the key challenges of: promoting security of energy supply through the diversification of energy and feedstock sources, tackling climate change and enhancing the competitiveness of EU based companies. Renewable energy sources (RES) can contribute to addressing these challenges.
As responsible energy consumers, food and drink industry companies are actively pursuing the continuous improvement of their energy efficiency and the reduction of greehouse gas emissions.

Download the full position in English