THE European Union has already sounded its intention to import more vegetable oils from Southeast Asian nations starting next year when Europe’s new directive on the increased use of biofuels among member-states takes effect.

The European Commission (EC) gave the feelers for the importation of more raw materials for biofuels in a workshop for the Asean countries in Jakarta on July 11 regarding the proposal for a new European legislation on renewable sources of energy, including biofuels.

Ambassador Alistair MacDonald, head of the Commission Delegation to the Philippines, briefed the Asean officials on the provisions of the new legislation and the opportunities it will create for Europe’s trading partners, particularly the Southeast Asian countries.

In a statement, the EC said it is expected that biofuel production in Europe will increase,” as will European imports of vegetable oils used in biofuels.”

“Southeast Asia is a major producer of vegetable oil, especially palm oil. The directive presents new opportunities for Southeast Asian countries as it would be likely to increase imports to the EU from producing countries,” the commission said.

The draft directive, expected to be adopted early next year, sets out renewable energy targets for the EU member-states that will increase the share of renewable-energy sources in EU energy consumption.

Forming part of the EU’s climate-change policy, the new legislation aims to establish national renewable-energy targets that will result in an overall binding target of a 20-percent share of renewable-energy sources in energy consumption and a binding 10-percent minimum target for renewables, such as biofuels, in transport in 2020 to be achieved by each member-state.

More state interventions needed for the poor–Salceda

LEGAZPI CITY—Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, one of President Arroyo’s key economic advisers, sees something wrong with the present government’s economic policies as he called on Malacañang to institute corrections that would require more state interventions on behalf of the poor.

Government to grant additional P29.8B in loans to SMEs in 2008

IN the hope of creating more jobs this year, the National Antipoverty Commission (NAPC) said the government is looking at extending around P29.8 billion worth of loans to small and medium enterprises.

IRRI official urges government to hike rice production

AN official of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) urged the government to focus on increasing rice production to augment the huge demand of the bloating population in the Philippines growing at an average 2 percent every year.

Summer harvests of palay exceed target of 7.1 MMT

HARVESTS of palay during summer had already reached 7.3 million metric tons (MMT), or 200,000 metric tons more than the 7.1 MMT targeted by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

DA sets up P800-M loan program for small farmers

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has set up the Agricultural Guarantee Fund Pool (AGFP) which will provide low-interest loans to palay growers and small farmers.

Insurgents urged to work with PRES project proponents

THE Department of Energy (DOE) recently appealed to members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to help the Paris Manila Technology Corp. (Pamatec) in its implementation and installation of solar home systems under its Philippine Rule Electrification Service (PRES).

EU to import more vegetable oils from Southeast Asia

THE European Union has already sounded its intention to import more vegetable oils from Southeast Asian nations starting next year when Europe’s new directive on the increased use of biofuels among member-states takes effect.