ECO-FRIENDLY campaigners took part in 24 hours of action and debate about biofuels.

Members of Huddersfield Friends of the Earth took to the streets on two wheels in protest about plans to increase use of biofuels.

The cyclists rode across Huddersfield to highlight plans by the European Union to increase their reliance on biofuels over the coming years.

They started at Greenhead Park and met up with campaigners on Byram Street who were speaking to members of the public about the issue.

Campaigner Tim Padmore said: “We were protesting against an EU directive which plans to increase biofuel use to 10% of fuels by 2020.

“The target will trigger a massive land grab for biofuel production in developing countries. This will devastate communities, damage wildlife and push up food prices.

“Biofuels are a false solution to climate change.”

Biofuels are a type of fuel – solid, liquid or gas – which comes from recently dead living materials, such as plants, sugarcane and rape seed.

They can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but campaigners say the energy used to produce biofuels is as polluting as fossil fuels.

Huddersfield Friends of the Earth members launched the Blow the Whistle on Biofuels campaign with the newly-formed Huddersfield Climate Action Network.

Last week members of the new group took part in a debate about the link between biofuels and rising food prices.

The event, at Huddersfield Methodist Mission on Lord Street, was chaired by Golcar Lib Dem councillor Andrew Marchington.

It was attended by Huddersfield residents, members of the National Farmers’ Union and the boss of a biofuel business.

It was said that 5% of the UK’s grain crops were used in making biofuels.

The Huddersfield Climate Action Network is a new organisation of groups campaigning against climate change or working towards a low-carbon future.

It is looking for new community groups or individuals to join it. For more information visit huddersfield can@googlegroups.com