The Department for Transport are consulting on the Draft Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Order (basically the UK's own 'biofuel directive'). The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) requires 5% of UK transport fuel to come from biofuels by 2010 and the Government are looking at substantially increasing that target after 2010. They acknowledge that this could lead to large-scale deforestation - but the only 'safeguard' they propose is a reporting requirement - i.e. companies have to complete a form to say that their biofuels have been produced sustainably - no independent auditing (and certainly no way anybody is going to check the reality on the ground in Brazil or Indonesia...). The consultation will end on 17th May. You can find the full consultation text here:  http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/draftrtfo/ .

Large numbers of grassroots organistions that represent communities in the global South have issued declarations to warn that Europe's drive for biofuels is threatening their livelihoods, food security, rainforests, biodiversity and, in some cases, human rights.

You can send your personal response to  rtfo.consultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk .

Alternatively, you can send a standard letter drafted by Biofuelwatch - this will only take you two minutes. Just go to

 http://www.regenwald.org/international/englisch/protestaktion.php?id=163 .

Underneath that action alert, there are a few other very important ones which you might like to look at, too!

There is also an e-petition to Tony Blair which says "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to stop promoting biofuels as an alternative to petroleum." You can sign the petition by going to  http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/notobiofuel/ .
Many thanks!

Almuth Ernsting