FRANCE'S pioneering "green oil" fuel, being pushed by the nation's powerful farmers' lobby, is catching Europe's attention. Already, filling stations in several French metros supply green oil, which is produced with grain, oilseeds or sugarbeet. Although it is not considered a substitute for petrol and diesel, European Union states are increasingly interested in this new energy resource, especially after the European parliament voted last year to enable countries to cut or scrap taxes on green oil.

However, environmentalists say that the "farm-produced" oil will only boost highly polluting intensive farming.