European Union lawmakers have voted to set a limit on targets to increase the use of road transport biofuels.
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The original EU target that 10% of all road transport fuel should come from renewable sources by 2020 did not set limits for crop biofuels.
A committee of the European Parliament has now voted to limit such fuels to 6% of the 10% target.
At least 4% of the total will have to be achieved using electricity or hydrogen from renewable sources, or from second-generation biofuels from waste or non-food crops.
Green MEP Claude Turmes, of Luxembourg, welcomed the decision.
"While the maintenance of a binding target for biofuels is a bitter pill to swallow, the committee has at least strengthened the safeguards against the damaging impact of agri-fuels in this directive," he said.
The panel also approved a mid-term goal of 5% of road transport fuel from renewable sources by 2015, of which one fifth should not be food crop-based biofuels.
Analysts say that a couple of years ago, biofuels looked like a perfect solution for the 27-member bloc, which was keen to lower carbon emissions, protect the environment and find alternative energy solutions.
But the longer-term impact on food prices and deforestation, especially in the developing world, has prompted a rethink of the original targets.
(BBC)
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