Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
2114. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support the production of self-sufficient HVO in Ireland, given that hydrotreating vegetable oils is a modern way to produce high-quality diesel fuels from completely renewable materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42645/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPolicy relating to the supply and use of renewable fuels, including Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), in transport is the responsibility of the Department of Transport.
In November 2021, the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, TD, published the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement 2021 – 2023. This Policy Statement sets out a roadmap for the supply and use of renewable fuels in transport energy.
The Policy Statement commits to increasing the supply of biofuels, while ensuring the maintenance of the highest standards of sustainability of biofuel supply from source, and incentives to develop and supply a wider range of renewable fuels.
The Department of Transport carried out public consultation earlier this year seeking views in relation to the further development of the Renewable Fuels for Transport Statement. The main aim of the consultation was to inform changes that will be made to the next iteration of the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy.
The production of oilseed rape, the most common source of vegetable oil in Ireland, increased significantly in 2022 to 16,000ha. Industry predictions are that the area under oilseed rape will increase further in 2023 due to a number of factors including the benefits of growing the crop from an agronomic perspective, the increased value of rapeseed in the marketplace and improvements in varieties available to growers.
The production of oilseed rape is supported through various measure under the Common Agricultural Policy. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), also invest significant resources in the trialling of oilseed rape varieties to identify superior varieties under Irish conditions which will ultimately contribute to increased profitability at farm level.
Vegetable oil from oilseed rape could be used as a feedstock for the production of HVO. However, as already outlined, supporting the production of self-sufficient HVO in Ireland is a policy matter for the Department of Transport.
