SHEPWAY FARM DRIVES AHEAD WITH BIODIESEL CROP

Oilseed rape to produce biodiesel

Biodiesel made on UK farms will be powering many more vehicles within the next 18 months writes Farmers Weekly, and a Shepway farm is leading the way.

Local farmer Andrew Martin who recently received a £20,000 grant to explore the possibility believes the latest energy price rises make on-farm production of the "green" fuel increasingly viable.

Mr Martin calculated that at the 204 acre Romney Marsh Farms growing oilseed rape it could produce as much as 250,000 litres (55,000 gallons) of biodiesel.

Most European engine manufacturers accept biodiesel as a fuel provided it meets the EU's quality standard but some others, notably Japanese makers, may not stand by their warranties if biodiesel is used.