 In a letter sent to the European Commission on Monday 2 June, international development and environmental groups warned that the EU's policy of promoting biofuels is contributing to the global food crisis. They urge the Commission to revoke its 10 per cent target for the use of biofuels in transport, and to pursue other alternatives in the fight against climate change. Adrian Bebb of Friends of the Earth Europe said, "Biofuels are a false answer to our climate and energy problems. "It is morally irresponsible to use crops to feed cars whilst people go hungry. The EU must abandon it support for biofuels and invest in real solutions such as cleaner cars and an energy efficient Europe." The Commission has denied that the EU's targets have any impact on world food price rises, but the letter expresses strong criticism of the Commission's stance and claims that biofuels production is the cause of around 30 per cent of the recent increase in food prices. Rob Bailey of Oxfam International, commented: "To continue the pursuit of biofuels in the face of the credible, impartial and growing opinion that this is exacerbating the food crisis is morally outrageous and utterly indefensible." At the High Level Conference on World Food Security, held in Rome on 3-5 June, biofuels proved extremely controversial, and the final declaration avoided taking a stance on the issue, calling only for a "coherent, effective and results-oriented international dialogue on biofuels in the context of food security and sustainable development needs". Sources: |
