New Bio-fuels Bill seeks to protect farmers' interest

Yesterday the Sejm debated the bill on bio-fuels' market regulations prepared by the Government and the Polish Peasants Party (PSL). Deputy Agriculture Minister Wojciech Olejniczak announced that permission for the manufacture of bio-components would be granted only to those producers who would sign five-year contracts with farmers for the supply of components. "This will be done in a bid to guarantee that components come from domestic plantations," explained Olejniczak. The bill lacks a specification of limits on the manufacture of bio-components, which made the Deputies wonder whether the prices of bio-components would not fall. "Such issues should be regulated by the market itself. It is impossible to impose prices as it will not help our farmers. However, as a percentage of bio-components per liter will be imposed, fuel producers will have to purchase bio-components, which should guarantee that farmers' production will prove profitable," said Olejniczak. (www.onet.pl) K.Ż.