Oilseed
> the fuel of the future
We have all seen the oilseed rape that blazes with yellow flowers in May
and June. Most of it goes to make vegetable oil for human consumption in
food such as margarine, but in the future it may become an important fuel.
When processed the vegetable oil
becomes bio-diesel and can be
used to power diesel engines.
Bio-diesel is significantly less
polluting than it's petro-chemical
rivals and it is renewable.
In countries such as Germany and
the US bio-diesel is supported by
their governments and is widely
available. In contrast the British
Government is reluctant to give it
the same support and move us
away from our dependence on
non-renewable, polluting fossil
fuels. That is why in Germany and
the US you will regularly see
bio-diesel for sale on fuel station
forecourts but not in Britain.
DID YOU KNOW?
DID YOU KNOW?
A field of oilseed rape the size of
· Bees love the fields of
a football pitch can provide
Oilseed Rape as they are
enough fuel to power the
rich in pollen. Farmers like
average family car for a year.
· Honey is good for you. It
bees because they help
gives you energy and helps
pollinate their crops giving
Not just good for
keep things like coughs,
them better yields.
t h e environment,
colds and allergies at bay.
· One bee will visit between
g o o d for you too
· Make sure when you buy
50 and 100 flowers per trip
Rapeseed oil is extremely
honey it is local. That way
· To produce kilo of honey
healthy. It contains significantly
you are helping your local
bees have to tap about five
less saturated fats than other
farmers, local flowers, local
million flowers and fly over
vegetable oils such as palm or
bee-keepers and their bees.
100,000 miles.
olive oil.
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