compelling standpoint for NOT
As I see it esterification was a means of copying closely the dino fuel composition. That is not strictly necessary if the engine is modified to burn it efficiently.
Another point, I think was relevant, was that the 'customer and exercise' bods didn't relish the idea of straight veggie in diesel cars on UK roads, so put in a few lots of hoops to jump through to try and control it's use ( ie collect tax revenue). As things have progressed, supermarket veggie soon went up towards the pump price of diesel and the government were the loser on fuel duty and VAT of any such use.
Not quite as simple as that but it all complicated matters for UK users. Pay the government (ourselves really?) or put the money in the supermarkets coffers? OK if you were Mr Tesco you might well be laughing..... all the way to the bank.
Just my warped view of thieving taxation and profiteering. I think KISS, burn the product efficiently with the minimum processing.
Regards, RAB