The NFU says that farmers will benefit from the rollout of E10 biofuel from September.

E10 is a biofuel made up of 90 per cent regular unleaded and 10 per cent ethanol.

The ethanol is produced from the fermentation of a range of plants, including sugarcane and grains, along with their by-products.

Responding to the government announcement that the rollout of E10 will begin later this year, NFU crops board chairman Matt Culley said: “The NFU has long been calling for the government to authorise E10 fuel and it is great to hear that it will start to be available at UK forecourts from September.

“Not only will this mandate provide a boost for the UK wheat and sugar sectors, it will play an important and immediate role in delivering the government’s green agenda, especially as it may be some years before we are able to make a countrywide shift to fully electric vehicles.

“E10 is a great example of how investment in farming and the rural economy can benefit the whole country.

"British growers have the ability to deliver more renewable fuel for the nation, alongside continuing to produce the country’s larder staples, and we should do all we can to maximise that potential to help drive green growth across the economy.”