A method for the hydrodeoxygenation of an oxygenate feedstock comprising contacting the feedstock with a sulphided catalyst composition under hydrodeoxygenation conditions, wherein the catalyst composition comprises: i) a porous carrier substantially comprised of alumina, the carrier comprising between about 0.001 and about 1 wt. % phosphorous and between about 0.001 and about 1 wt. % silicon (both calculated as oxides) and having a mean pore diameter in the range from about 5 nm to about 40 nm; and, ii) from about 1 to about 20 wt. % of an active metal component (calculated as oxides based on the weight of the composition) borne on said porous carrier and which comprises at least one Group VIB metal and at least one Group VIII metal.