ABPR red-tape threat to UCO
SOURCE: CIWM, APRIL 2009
The proposed new EC Animal By-Products Regulation (ABPR) is threatening to bring used cooking oil (UCO) within its scope, potentially requiring biodiesel plants to comply with various rules on safe sourcing and safe treatment of UCO.
The present ABPR only applies to UCO (insofar as it’s part of “catering waste”) if it’s (a) from international transport, (b) destined for animal consumption, or (c) destined for composting or for use in a biogas plant.
But the Commission would like to extend the ABPR’s scope to include catering waste (including UCO) that is destined for a variety of alternative uses, in addition to composting and biogas production. If passed, it would mean that UCO-derived biodiesel would have to have its own approved protocol under the ABPR, as is currently the case with tallow-derived biodiesel.
The Commission are concerned that UCO (especially imported UCO) might be diverted illegally for animal feed. But DEFRA are lobbying to avoid UCO-biodiesel having to meet these additional compliance burdens. DEFRA’s position is that the existing controls against feeding catering waste to livestock are sufficient and that, in any event, over-regulating UCO-biodiesel won’t actually deal with the mischief perceived by the Commission.
The matter is under discussion within the EU institutions and the outcome will be closely watched, and seen as a barometer of (a) DEFRA’s influence at EU level and (b) whether in a recession the EU will move away from its caricature of excessive regulatory zeal.
AUTHOR: Vincent Brown
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