FARMERS and the domestic renewables industry are calling for the introduction of a more environmentally friendly petrol.

Called E10, it is a regular unleaded petrol blended with 10 per cent bioethanol – a low carbon renewable fuel which can reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants.

It is used throughout the world, accounting for 95 per cent of petrol sales in USA and widely available in many European countries such as France, Belgium and Finland.

Currently the UK only has E5, containing just five per cent bioethanol, but introducing E10 would be the carbon emissions savings equivalent of removing 700,000 cars from the road.

In MP Alan Brown's constituency, many farmers benefit particularly from the bioethanol industry, which produces protein-rich animal feed, primarily used by dairy herds.

The farmers are recipients of this feed but, if unable to source it locally, would need to import less-sustainable soya product from South America.

Mr Brown, who is also the SNP Party’s Transport Spokesman has joined other cross-party Parliamentarians in writing to government ministers to demand action.

They are being urged to show leadership on tackling transport emissions and backing local farmers by introducing E10 fuel by the end of the year.

Despite having two of Europe’s largest bioethanol plants the UK industry has been struggling due to Government delays on its environmental commitments.

Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP, Mr Brown, said: "We need to tackle transport emissions swiftly and in E10 we have a ready-and-waiting solution which addresses carbon emissions and air pollution, whilst also being of huge benefit to Scottish farmers and backing our domestic renewables industry.

"The government has been stalling on this for years and it’s about time we got on with implementing it.”

Among those signing the letter was Nick Dakin, chairman of the all party parliamentary group on British Bioethanol — Mr Brown is vice-chairman.

It was sent to MPs Jesse Norman-Transport Minister; Chris Grayling-Transport Secretary; Michael Gove-Environment Secretary and Therese Coffey-Air Quality Minister.