Claims in ActionAid Publication against Biofuels Largely Questionable
(European Bioethanol Fuel Association) “Meals per Gallons”, a publication against biofuels recently produced by ActionAid, is based largely on unfounded claims, disputed data and one-sided arguments says eBio, the European Bioehtanol Industry Association.
“In particular, the report paints biofuels as the villain responsible for world hunger, in total ignorance of undisputed facts that prove otherwise.,” says eBio’s Rob Vierhout
FAO data shows that the world produces enough food to feed everyone. World agriculture produces 17 percent more calories per person today than it did 30 years ago, despite a 70 percent population increase. This is enough to provide for everyone in the world. The principal problem is that many people in the world do not have sufficient income to purchase, or means to grow, enough food.
From mid-2009, soft commodity prices have decreased to pre-2008 levels whereas global biofuel production has increased by 10%. Biofuels play only a minor role in soft commodity price changes, as was widely recognized by the European Commission.
“The report blatantly ignores the positive impacts of biofuels and the contributions they can make to climate change mitigation” said Vierhout. “For instance, European transport emissions have increased by about 25% since 1990 and road transport represents 85% of these emissions. “Biofuel is the only option that can be used today, hydrogen and electric vehicles won’t be on the road for many years to come”, he added. The fact that biofuel production also results in feed/food production is often ignored.
Biofuel production in developing countries can generate new income, replace expensive fossil fuel imports and provide a new impetus to the agriculture economy. However, European sustainability criteria should ensure that biofuels sourced from developing countries would not have been produced in a manner that would have deprived people from their land. READ MORE and MORE Download ActionAid report ActionAid response 10 0419
