(Press and Journal) The farmers’ union has called for an urgent derogation on the inclusion of biofuel in diesel after insisting farmers and crofters are facing a crisis because of serious issues with agricultural machinery.
Farmers, hauliers, fuel suppliers and distributors attended a meeting with Petroineos, the only crude oil refinery in Scotland, after 280 NFU Scotland members reported problems with fuel splitting, poor machinery performance and frequently blocked fuel filters.
Petroineos told the delegates they produce fuel within the required specification including the biofuel content, but the union said it believed there is an issue with the specification in EU standards relating to biofuel inclusion (EN 14214), a problem exacerbated by cold weather.
NFUS president Andrew McCornick said farmers were frustrated to find themselves in a situation where machinery can’t be relied on to operate as they would expect, with some left without transport to feed livestock or carry out cultivations. READ MORE
Union Continues Work to Identify Solution to Industry Fuel Crisis (NFU Scotland)
Diesel biofuel problems appear to be worsening on Scottish farms (Press and Journal)
Union Welcomes Short Term Biofuel Concession (National Farmers Union Scotland)
Farm leaders welcome Petroineos decision to reduce biodiesel in fuel (Press and Journal)
Petroineos announces it will reduce volume of biodiesel in its agricultural fuel (Farmers Guardian)