Statement on Vivergo Fuels

Statement from Associated British Foods plc

“The US-UK trade deal was a great achievement. However, it has created huge uncertainty for the UK’s strategically vital bioethanol industry and the 7,000 people who work within it. 

“The industry boosts food and energy security in the UK, in a domestic, secure production cycle. The trade deal with the US will allow subsidised US ethanol into the UK in huge quantities, making our domestic system now unviable.

“We are working quickly with all concerned stakeholders. We start a major round of feedstock wheat purchases from UK farmers in July. We cannot now make those wheat purchases. And no wheat purchases would mean our plant closing. 

“Bioethanol refining is sovereign capability worth keeping. It provides high grade fuels, underpins domestic CO2 for the NHS and provides undisrupted winter cattle feeds. All within our borders, ready to respond to a changing world.

“We are grateful to Government for initial indications that they will respond to this growing crisis. We believe we can find solutions to keep our plants going: we will thank this Government for that security of supply, should a future US President change their mind on bioethanol exports and leave the UK with an acute shortage.”

For further information, please contact:

Associated British Foods:

+44 20 7399 6545

Chris Barrie, Corporate Affairs Director

Public First:

Ed Dorrell: +44 (0)7779 782583