In response to the recent (9 April 2025) BBC investigation, the HVO Joint Working Group has issued the following statement:
"The HVO Joint Working Group, representing the Royal Yachting Association, British Marine, the Inland Waterways Association and the Cruising Association are very concerned at today’s report on the BBC that suggests that there is fraud in the raw material supply chain for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and presumably other biodiesels. We are pleased that the UK Government is investigating these claims.
"Since its inauguration in April 2023, the HVO Joint Working Group has recognised that the supply of sustainable raw material for HVO production, and indeed to produce the ‘FAME’ biodiesel currently added at 7% to road fuel, was limited.
"Therefore, the Group has always supported the Government policy that the use of HVO in the UK should only be encouraged where there was no other viable alternative to decarbonise. It is clear that, for a large number of existing recreational craft, switching away from diesel to HVO fuel is currently the only feasible option.
"We have depended on Government assurances that all HVO imported to the UK has been verified as being made from sustainable raw materials, including through a process managed on their behalf by the Zemo Partnership, with whom we have had discussions.
"We look forward to, and support, a thorough investigation into the issue raised by the BBC and are pleased that the DfT are taking this matter so seriously. Sustainability of feedstocks is a key concern for us, and we look forward to providing further input once the Government has considered the information that we have provided as part of the Department for Transport’s Call for Evidence on the RTFO scheme and which we will provide to its new Call for Evidence on the Decarbonising of Smaller Vessels.
"We continue to support the use of sustainable HVO in the UK leisure boating sector, as this, combined with electrification, provides the pathway to decarbonisation for the UK recreational craft sector."
For more information on the HVO Campaign visit www.theca.org.uk/hvo-for-boats
10 April 2025