Canada’s promising canola biodiesel sector received a strong boost yesterday when Bill C-33 passed into law. This legislation will help create a new market for canola, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from diesel fuel.
This legislation is great news for the canola industry, which is poised to help fill the mandate of 2% inclusion of biodiesel in heating oil and diesel fuel by 2012, says JoAnne Buth, president of the Canola Council of Canada.
“Bill C-33 provides the certainty that will allow a value-added biodiesel industry to become established in western Canada,” says Buth. “We have no doubt that Canadian canola growers can produce the seed needed for a 2% biodiesel inclusion rate in Canada. We are already doing it.”
One million tonnes of canola seed would be required to make up 70% of the feedstock for biodiesel production. The carryover of canola seed has been more than 1.3 million tonnes for each of the last three years.
The Council applauds the strong leadership of the Government of Canada in helping to promote a biodiesel sector in Canada through Bill C-33 and the eco-Energy Renewable Initiative.
“A strong biodiesel sector is an important, made-in-Canada market for canola,” says Buth. “Canada’s canola industry is highly dependent on export markets, and this should provide a steady, new market with value-added jobs in rural communities.”
“This is good for the environment and good for canola growers,” adds Brian Chorney, president of the Canadian Canola Growers Association. “As growers we look forward to a less volatile market for our product. And we certainly support development of industry that will help revitalize the rural economy.”
Canola is grown in abundance in a sustainable manner across the prairies with additional acres in Ontario. Its unique characteristics make it an ideal biodiesel feedstock for Canada’s cold weather conditions.
Visit www.canolabiodiesel.org for more information on why canola-based biodiesel makes sense for Canada.
Contact:
Kelly Funke, Communications Officer, 204-982-2111