The RSPB has now pointed out that we need more time to research biofuel before we are obliged to put it in our tanks (see lead story). The Conservatives have also called for next month's introduction of the Road Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) to be scrapped. Peter Ainsworth, shadow environment secretary, said it was "utter madness" to impose quotas without first ensuring biofuel production was sustainable. And in last month's issue we reported on the Royal Society's warning that more research was needed. (See our website at http://www.forecourttrader.co.uk). Even transport secretary Ruth Kelly seems unsure of the government's direction, announcing recently that there would be an inquiry into the wider impacts of biofuels. Isn't it a bit late for all this when the RTFO starts next month? Has the government rushed through its biofuels legislation under pressure to go green?

As the experts agreed at our Top Indies Track Day last October, biofuels have been positioned as the interim answer, but not the be all and end all, yet it is causing huge concern and upheaval in the industry - and not just because of bugs in the tanks. In his column on page 7, Chris Hunt of UKPIA describes the move to biofuels as the biggest change to the industry since the introduction of unleaded. He also points out that B5 - the 5% biofuel blend - is more expensive than traditional diesel. Which all has implications for the motorist and the forecourt retailer. Seems like the horse has already bolted...

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