The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) reports that thousands of growers supplying crops for renewable energy under the Red Tractor logo are facing severe disruption because of an “administrative delay” in Brussels.
The Red Tractor scheme demonstrates and assures sustainability of British crops entering the European biofuels market and was successfully approved for the last five years from 2012.
However, the scheme’s approval expired in early August, as assurance schemes are approved for a period of five years and then every scheme must re-apply. Assured Food Standards re-applied in February but the European Commission did not rule on re-approval before its expiry.
The NFU said that some farmers are suffering “severe disruption” because of this and have already reported that their collection of Red Tractor grain has been disrupted, including those destined for biofuels and other markets.
The biofuels market is seen as a key outlet for UK producers, as the income it generates can help to offset volatile commodity prices. Oilseed rape is used to produce biofuel and around 40 per cent of the UK crop is exported for biofuel production in other EU countries.
The latest news from the European Commission is that the scheme will now be recognised, however, there is no hard date at the time of writing. As a member of a grain co-operative said though, the glitch raises the question of whether UK schemes such as Red Tractor will be recognised by the EU after Brexit.
She added that the “no paperwork or tick in a box equals no trade” situation should be a sign to the authorities to take action to “prevent issues rather than waiting until they become a major financial burden”.
