WESTMORLAND and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has joined the debate over the controversial issue of biofuels.

Mr Farron has tabled an early day motion, demanding the introduction of standards governing the industry to restrict deforestation and the destruction of wildlife habitats.

Biofuels are formed by blending plants such as sugar cane, corn and wheat with petrol or diesel. This reduces the amount of crude oil needed in the fuel, cutting carbon emissions, one of the principal causes of global warming.

But some environmental groups fear that this could actually increase carbon emissions by leading to swathes of forest in South America and Asia being chopped down.

In his EDM, Mr Farron recognises the fact that biofuels aim to reduce overall greenhouse emissions but adds that destroying rainforests to grow the crops can only hamper the process.