AIC chairs government and stakeholder talks on future for RED II assurance
(Posted on 14/08/23)
The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has chaired a key meeting with the UK Government as it works with the industry to find a resolution to a European Commission (EC) decision which has the potential to affect UK biofuel exports.
AIC recently held talks with officials at the UK Department for Transport (DfT), Red Tractor Assurance (RTA), Scottish Quality Crops (SQC) and others as the industry progresses on finding a solution to the EC's intention to withdraw accreditation for UK-based RED II assurance schemes at the end of 2023.
The Commission says this is because it only recognises schemes accredited in EU member states, and the UK is now regarded as a third country since it left the EU.
The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredits Renewable Energy Directive (RED) II assurance which currently allows companies to trade crops to the domestic and European bioenergy sector - a growing and important area of the UK economy.
AIC Services, RTA and SQC all operate assurance schemes which give their Members and Participants valuable access to the biofuels market.
AIC first told its Members and scheme Participants of the potential change on 18 July.
At last week's meeting, the government recognised the situation and committed to working with AIC and other stakeholders to achieve the best possible outcome for the industry.
Also included in the meeting were representatives of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the National Farmers Union (NFU), the Renewable Transport Fuel Association (RTFA), the Seed Crushers and Oil Processors Association (SCOPA), UKAS, and the UK Permanent Mission to the EU.
Click below to find out more about the four potential outcomes and other frequently asked questions.
AIC, RTA and SQC are meeting frequently to share information and updates as they collaborate on identifying and implementing a possible solution.
In recent days AIC has also held productive discussions with the European trade association COCERAL, as well as equivalent assurance schemes in some EU member states.
In addition, AIC joined an industry roundtable yesterday (7 August) to keep Members and stakeholders updated.
In a joint statement, AIC, Red Tractor and SQC said: “We have immediately called on the European Commission to continue to recognise UKAS and all that it represents through our schemes in the UK.
“The best-case scenario for all parties is that the Commission adopts this, and trading continues seamlessly. There are a number of alternatives that AIC, Red Tractor and SQC are also reviewing, all of which may be burdensome without tangible gain over the requirements already in place through voluntary schemes."
Latest News
Rio Tinto and BHP collaboration to mine up to 200m tonnes of Pilbara iron ore
(Posted on 15/01/26)Rio Tinto and BHP have agreed to work together to extract up to 200 million tonnes of iron ore at their... Read more
Sohar land lease agreement with Oman Zinc
(Posted on 14/01/26)SOHAR Port and Freezone has signed a USD 50 million investment agreement with Oman Zinc LLC, to develop... Read more
NGFA applauds STB proposal to repeal flawed 49 CFR Part 1144 regulation
(Posted on 14/01/26)The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) in the USA has applauded the Surface Transportation Board... Read more
Rio Tinto and Glencore merger talks
(Posted on 14/01/26)Rio Tinto have released the following statement regarding their recent discussions with Glencore:&ldquo... Read more
ADM and Bayer expand commitment to Indian soybean farmers
(Posted on 06/01/26)ADM and Bayer have announced a three-year extension of their partnership to support farmers in Maharashtra... Read more
NGFA applauds reintroduction of HAULS Act
(Posted on 24/12/25)The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) has applauded Senator Deb. Fischer’s (R-Neb.) reintroduction... Read more
Anglo American and Teck receive approval for merger of equals
(Posted on 18/12/25)Anglo American plc and Teck Resources Limited have received regulatory approval from the Government... Read more
Rhodes Ridge $191m feasibility study on Pilbara iron ore mine
(Posted on 18/12/25)The Rhodes Ridge Joint Venture has approved a $191 million (A$294 million) (Rio Tinto share $96 million... Read more
Strong metals trading as Trafigura publishes annual results
(Posted on 09/12/25)Trafigura Group Pte Ltd, a global leader in the commodities industry, has announced its financial results... Read more
Rio Tinto’s Nuton technology produces first copper
(Posted on 09/12/25)Rio Tinto has successfully produced the first copper from the Johnson Camp mine in Arizona using its... Read more
