Restart EU biofuels debate after G7 commitment says Pichetto

(ANSA) - ROME, APR 16 - Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto said Italy would restart an EU debate for the use of biofuels to continue beyond 2035 to cushion the impact of the halt to gas engine car sales after attending a G7 climate and energy summit which saw a commitment to biofuels Sunday.
    "I believe that as early as tomorrow we need to restart the dialogue with European countries in order to arrive at the best solutions with certain scientific data: biofuels will be able to replace petrol and diesel and keep the Italian automobile industry alive", Pichetto's told ANSA in reporting the results of the G7 Climate and Energy Summit.
    "The battle that the government has fought so far in Europe, together with Ministers Salvini (transport) and Urso (business), is proof of this, and the openness of the G7 countries gives us hope that the results that Italy wants to achieve represent international objectives to protect the automotive industry".
    The importance of the role of biofuels in the decarbonisation of the automotive sector, in view of the 2035 date on the replacement of diesel and petrol engines in new cars, is highlighted in the conclusions of the G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Summit held in Sapporo, Japan.
    Biofuels, of which Italy is a producer, are associated with synthetic fuels in the final statement that highlights "the opportunities these offer to contribute to a strong decarbonisation of the automotive sector".
    This is an important acknowledgement for the discussion on the subject between Italy and the EU. (ANSA).