Alumina supported Rh-LaCoO 3 has been investigated for the catalytic conversion of tar produced by biomass pyrolysis into hydrogen-rich gas. A double fixed bed reactor system, equipped with a micro-chromatograph for the analysis of permanent gases and a chromatograph for the analysis of condensable species, has been developed to perform a preliminary screening of catalysts with different compositions by contacting them at 700°C with a real mixture of gas and volatiles produced by biomass decomposition.Biomass has been characterized by elemental, proximate and thermal analysis. Redox properties of catalysts, estimated with H 2 Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR) analysis, have been correlated to the catalytic performance towards tar conversion. All catalysts completely convert tars into syngas with small quantities of CH 4 and CO 2 , more reducible catalysts also strongly improve tar reforming and inhibit coke deposition.