Grain and sugar beet producers have noted the result of the call for tenders for the allocation of the 522 000 tonnes of bioethanol as announced by the French Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin (80 000 tonnes in 2006, 112 000 tonnes in 2007 and 330 000 tonnes in 2008).

They have also expressed disappointment as this allocation means that the three industrial ventures planned which had already received approval will not get the minimum production volumes they needed to be economically viable.
 
The allocation set has, however, been offset by the very positive message from the Prime Minister who announced a further 150 000 tonnes of bioethanol to be approved by the end of the year.  These volumes will then obviously have to be increased to reach government targets of 7% bioethanol in petrol by 2010 and a 10% blend by 2015.
 
When Mr. Chirac, the French President, visited the Paris agriculture show, he stressed once again the importance of developing biofuels in France, showing that he considers it to be a major national issue.
 
On November 21 last year, the French government gave an undertaking that it would speed up developments for direct blending of bioethanol in fuel, would support bioethanol for biodiesel production, and promote “FlexFuel” vehicles that can run on either bioethanol or petrol.
 
Sugar beet and grain producers are now waiting for these commitments to be put into action, and promptly.
 
 Contacts presse :
AGPB – Pascal Hurbault, tél 01 44 31 16 25
AGPM – Béatrice Guénebeaud, 01 47 23 48 32 
CGB - Catherine Ducoloné       01 44 69 41 36