Access to European Union biofuel market

Earlier this month, the European Commission published an implementing decision that will allow Canadian canola continued access to the EU biodiesel market.

The decision affirms the greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved when Canadian canola is used to make biodiesel according to a detailed life cycle methodology that reflects the whole entire canola growing process.

“This decision means continued access to an important market for Canadian canola,” said Jim Everson, president of the Canola Council of Canada (CCC). “The Canola Council has worked hard on this over the past two years and this confirmation is very good for the entire value chain.”

The European Commission’s decision details the greenhouse gas emission intensity of Canadian canola production, a requirement for access to the EU biodiesel market. As of January 2018 all EU biodiesel must demonstrate greenhouse gas emission reductions that are greater than 50 per cent compared to fossil diesel, a requirement that must also be met for canola biodiesel in the U.S.

Over the last three years, average annual exports of seed, oil and meal to the EU have totaled approximately $200 million.

In 2016, 597,000 tonnes of canola seed and 37,000 tonnes of canola oil were shipped to the EU.