Greenpeace have welcomed yesterday's abstention by Norman Baker in the Tar Sand's vote. This represents a small step forward for the anti-tar sand lobby. Joss Garman Senior Policy Advisor for the NGO said.. “Norman Baker should be congratulated. It’s obvious that he’s reacted positively to pressure from the clean energy lobby, but the government now needs to go further. Today’s abstention helped prevent a victory for an industry that produces the dirtiest oil on Earth but if we’re going to keep tar sands out of Europe we now need Nick Clegg to step in and ensure that when Ministers meet in June the result is a European ban on tar sands.”

Governments from across Europe met yesterday to vote on European Commission proposals that would effectively ban oil derived from tar sands, and other highly polluting fuels, from ending up in cars in Europe.

Secret documents exposed at the end of last year revealed that the oil industry and the Canadian government have mounted a huge lobbying effort to try and block the European plan. Canada has threatened Europe with a trade war if it goes ahead with the proposals, called the Fuel Quality Directive.

Canada will not hesitate to defend its interests, including at the World Trade Organisation," state letters sent to European commissioners by Canada's ambassador to the EU and its oil minister, released under freedom of information laws.

The threats represent a significant escalation of the row over the EU's plans, which Canada fears would set a global precedent and derail its ability to exploit its tar sands, which are the biggest fossil fuel reserve in the world after Saudi Arabia. Environmental groups argue that exploitation of the tar sands, also called oil sands, is catastrophic for the global climate, as well as causing serious air and water pollution in Alberta.

In December it emerged that the UK government was aligning itself with the oil industry and Canada, whilst other European governments have been divided on the proposals. However, it has been the UK and Holland – home to BP and Shell respectively – leading opposition to the plans.

The Liberal Democrats strongly opposed tar sands in opposition. The Party’s Deputy Leader, Simon Hughes, even compared tar sands to "land mines, blood diamonds and cluster bombs."

Nick Clegg and Lib Dem Transport Minister Norman Baker have been under huge public pressure to support the European plan, receiving tens of thousands of emails as well as protests and direct action. The Labour Party opposition are also strongly supporting the Commission’s proposals.