NOW that the fuel crisis is over - at least for the time being - let's rejoice in the fact that the solution to the nation's problems is potentially right here on our doorstep in North Yorkshire.

Our county consists of some 40,000 hectares - that's about 100,000 acres - of oilseed rape.

It produces a yearly crop of around 140,000 tonnes which is processed into products like vegetable oil and margarine.

But if instead it was carefully treated, then every hectare would yield 1,100 litres of bio-diesel. And that would be enough to give a year's supply - some 10,000 miles worth - of fuel to 40,000 cars.

Or try this power statistic: It would be enough to energise one diesel car to the moon and back 800 times.

So what are we waiting for? Why be at the mercy of supplies of messy fossil fuels from the OPEC oil sheikhs when our own could not only be plentiful but also clean and green?

The answer, suggests Peter Clery, chairman of BABFO, or the British Association for Biofuels and Oils, lies in one word. "Tax," he says. "Taxes price these environmentally fuels out of the market. And that is in spite of a 1997 budget statement that the Government places a high priority on the tax system to deliver environmental objectives."

BABFO is campaigning to reduce the level of duty on biofuels to the same for gas fuels like CNG and LPG.

At present biodiesel is taxed at 48.8p per litre - the same as ulsDERV. This contrasts with a tax of just 7.5 pence per litre on LPG and 11.35p on CNG on the grounds of their lower pollution levels.

But, argues Mr Clery, "LPG and VNG are fossil sourced and finite and do pollute especially, it seems, with fine particles deep in our lungs.

"By contrast, biofuels are produced from sustainable and renewable resources and are less polluting overall."

With existing levels of tax, bio-fuels would be much more expensive than ordinary fuels at the pumps. But should the tax be reduced to around 10 pence per litre and with greater mass production bringing down costs, it could compare favourably with traditional fuel costs at the pumps.

Mr Clery has found an ally in Rob Simpson of the York-based National Farmers Union covering the North East.

He says: "Lowering duty on biofuel would undoubtedly please our farmers who are keen to apply biofuel possibilities where they can.

"Already some are participating in short rotation coppicing to provide the wood to feed a new power station at Eggborough.

He amuses himself by calculating that if farmers used every bit of their available land throughout Britain to grow rape, the entire motoring needs of the country could be met.

On the other hand few motorists might venture out because of the hideous smell of the rape fields?

"True, but that's one way of saving fuel," he quips.