The UK farming community could play a major part in delivering EU Commission proposals to combat climate change and promote energy security and competitiveness, but only if aspirations are turned into actions, says the NFU.

In a package of measures announced yesterday, the EU Commission set itself the target of reducing Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2020. One of the main measures takes the form of a “renewable energy road map” which proposes a legally binding target of 20 per cent renewable energy by 2020 and will include a 10 per cent minimum target for biofuels.

Member states will have the freedom to determine the best renewable energy mix for their own circumstances and will have to establish National Action Plans setting targets for renewable electricity, transport fuels and heating and cooling.

NFU vice-president Paul Temple said that the NFU entirely shares the Commission’s aspirations for renewable energy, and stressed the importance of mandatory long-term targets.

“Britain’s farmers are determined to be part of the solution to climate change, and are ready to play their full part in achieving these ambitious targets,” he said.

“The industry needs a clear long-term vision and strategy to ensure it develops to its potential. In particular, it is vital that the UK government builds confidence by putting in place separate renewable energy targets and developing a clear strategy for ensuring that the targets are met.”

Temple added the NFU also welcomes the Commission’s commitment to create “a true internal energy market”. This has the potential to put an end to the competitive distortions caused by member state intervention in the energy market, he said.

“The sooner we achieve a level playing field in terms of energy policy, the faster Europe will be able to move towards both securing its energy supplies and giving the rest of the world a lead in fighting climate change.”

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