Abandoning biofuels will not reduce food prices says NFU

Lack of investment in agriculture and the cheap food era – not biofuels – are the reason for rising food prices and global food shortages said the NFU, speaking at the EU’s Green Week conference.

NFU Vice President Paul Temple delivered his tough message to support the ten per cent biofuel targets, to help mitigate the effects of climate change and provide a viable solution to fossil fuels. He told the audience the era of easily accessible oil is over and the need for investment, research and development, in renewable energy has never been greater.

“A knee-jerk abandonment of biofuel support by European governments would not significantly reduce food prices or do anything to help get food to those who need it most”, he said.

“In fact it could create unforeseen poverty in Asia and South America, whose economies have started to prosper as a result of biofuels. One farmer from West Africa spoke in defence of biofuels, during the Rome food summit on Tuesday, because they have helped his markets and now he is finally profitable.

“The bottom line is food prices around the world have increased simply because we haven’t produced enough food. This is a direct consequence of the cheap food era and lack of investment in farming.

“The issue of how we use of land is not unique to biofuels. We need to consider the whole issue of land use – including food – but if we lose the EU’s ten per cent targets for biofuels we risk losing the economic incentives which will drive further positive change.

“Agriculture has an important part to play in the new bioeconomy, starting with biofuels, and we need to work together to push through these positive changes.”

Notes to editors:

1. NFU Water Matters, the UK Dairy Roadmap and the British model of biofuels took centre stage at this week’s EU Green Week. The event looked at the sustainable use of natural resources, waste management, sustainable consumption and production.

2. NFU chief dairy adviser Hayley Campbell-Gibbons also spoke at the event on the environmental targets of the UK Dairy Road Map. 
 

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