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information for the concerned consumer
Biofuels
Biofuel produced in US bad for health
According to scientists corn-based bioethanol causes more health problems than conventional fuels, adding to growing concerns about biofuel impact on the environment and food prices. The ammonia from nitrogen fertilisers used on the corn evaporates and combines with fine dust to form particles which blow into populated areas and have a negative impact on health. Corn-based bioethanol is widely produced in the US. Technology is being developed for the next generation of biofuels, including those from woody crops, organic waste and plants grown on land not in use for agriculture.
A leaked paper has revealed that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has concerns about the ten per cent target for using plant based biofuels for transport.
The report notes that:
• The environmental impact of biofuels can be worse than petrol and diesel and their impact will be important on the global economy.
• Natural forests, wetlands and pasture land will be replaced with crops grown for energy.
The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook - 2007-2016 continues, saying that ”the increased demand for food, particularly in Asia, combined with the amount of agricultural land being converted from food to biofuels will force higher food prices around the world”
UN expert speaks out against biofuels
Using biofuel is considered an easy way to cut fossil fuel consumption. Scientific research is progressing quickly and within five years it will be possible to make biofuel from agricultural waste rather than wheat, corn, sugar cane and other food crops. In the short term however, the use of food crops has been encouraged by President Bush and Brazilian President Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva who have signed an agreement committing their countries to boosting ethanol production.
But Jean Ziegler, United Nations' independent expert, presented a report to the Assembly's human rights committee saying that "the effect of transforming hundreds of thousands of tons of maize, of wheat, of beans, of palm oil, into agricultural fuel is absolutely catastrophic for hungry people."
Mexico protests at higher price of tortillas
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has warned that any diversion of land from food to energy production will inflate food prices as supplies are cut. Thousands of Mexicans took to the streets recently to protest at the cost of tortillas doubling. This was due to local farmers shipping their corn to the US to be made into ethanol. Generous US government subsidies for the biofuel are ensuring higher prices for the crops.
Biofuel versus Food Production
Given the high oil prices, biofuel production is becoming more attractive. The debate is open over its possible impact on food security. "Biofuel production need not compete with food production if biofuel demand generates increased incomes for farm households, and this in turn is invested in raising productivity of all farm activities," said Andre Croppenstedt, economist with the Agricultural Development Economics Division of FAO. Whilst this may be true in theory, biofuel production is already having an impact on the prices of maize and sugar.
In Oct 2007, a UN expert called the growing practice of turning crops into biofuel "a crime against humanity" because it has created food shortages and sent food prices soaring, leaving millions of poor people hungry. Jean Ziegler, who has been the UN's independent expert on the right to food since the position was established in 2000, called for a five-year moratorium on biofuel production to halt the growing "catastrophe" for poor people.
