Demand for oil crops forecast to increase

THE predicted demand from the biofuel market for oil and starch crops from 2010 was likened to “a steamroller about to hit us”, a farmers’ meeting was told.

Speaking in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, James Woolway, managing director of Opico, said that 17 million tonnes of oilseed rape – equivalent to a third of world production – would be needed to produce the 7.7 billion litres of biodiesel needed to meet the 5.75 per cent inclusion rate imposed on EU member states.

NorthernEcho