Defra’s “Tallow ban” must be lifted - Bates

Release/Rhyddhau: Tuesday,25th April 2006

Contact/Cyswllt: Ceirion Rees:
029 2089 8342/ 07733280105/ ceirion.rees@wales.gov.uk 

Montgomeryshire farmer and AM, Mick Bates, has called on the Labour Assembly Government to lobby Defra to lift its ban on the use of Tallow as a source of energy.

Commenting,the Welsh Liberal Democrat countryside spokesperson said:
“Tallow is rendered oil fat.  It is a bi-product of the meat industry and can be used as clean alternative to fossil fuels like gas or oil.  As of this week it will effectively be banned as an energy source and will have to be burnt as waste.
 
“This move will put increase the cost of cattle and sheep to farm. More than that it will rule out a renewable source of energy which can be used to combat climate change.
“No-one understands why the government have taken this step. There is no benefit in it.  Tallow is a cheep, clean alternative to expensive fossil fuels that damage our environment.
 
“In Wales it goes against our commitment to sustainability For the Countryside Minister to agree with the ban defies logic! 

“I urge Carwyn Jones to talk to his Westminster colleagues and persuade them to change their mind on this ban. It is a ban that is bad for our farms, bad for our rural economy and most importantly of all bad for our environment.”