Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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# 92000E2673

**WRITTEN QUESTION E-2673/00 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Fuel from sustainable raw materials.** 
  
*Official Journal 136 E , 08/05/2001 P. 0074 - 0075*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2673/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Fuel from sustainable raw materials

Can the Commission indicate the extent to which it has already put in hand EU-wide studies into the production of fuel from sustainable raw materials (e.g. sunflower and rape seed) and the results thereof?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(13 October 2000)

Since the 1990s the Commission has been examining the options for expanding the biofuel sector, including those referred to by the Honourable Member.

One may mention the Biomass A new future study (Commission 6 January 1992) which constituted a major working document for a proposal for a Directive on tax exemptions for biofuels put forward by the Commission in 1992,(1) together with an amendment in 1994.(2) One may also mention the Euro-biodiesel, research project receiving 16 million (AIR programme), demonstration projects supported by the Thermie programme, several projects supported by the FAIR and JOULE programmes, and roughly 20 pilot projects or studies and dissemination activities funded under the Altener programme; One may also mention the biodiesel standardisation activities carried out at European level by the CEN (European Standardisation Committee) to the order of the Commission. Finally, a European biofuels network bringing together the national associations involved in developing biofuels has been set up, using Altener appropriations.

It is necessary to remind you of the detailed rules provided for by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2461/1999(3) for the use of land set aside for the production of raw materials for products not directly intended for consumption. One may state, against this backdrop, that 90 % of the raw materials grown under those rules are vegetable oils, a large proportion of which are used in producing biodiesel (roughly 500 000 tonnes per year).

Among these initiatives the most important is without doubt the 1992 proposal for a Directive referred to above authorising the Member States to award substantial tax abatements to biofuels.

Despite the Commission's efforts it has not been possible to adopt that proposal owing to a lack of unanimity within the Council, as required by the EC Treaty in terms of harmonising tax law, because of opposition from a limited number of Member States. Nevertheless, the Commission has incorporated scope for the Member States to introduce tax exemptions or total or partial reductions in the level of taxation applying to biofuels(4) into its proposal restructuring the Community taxation framework for energy products put forward in March 1997. Those tax exemptions or abatements will take the form of a total or partial repayment of the excess paid.

(1) OJ C 73, 24.3.1992.

(2) OJ C 209, 27.7.1994.

(3) OJ L 299, 20.11.1999.

(4) OJ C 139, 6.5.1997.

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