by Dilip S. Patil (The Hindu Business Line) By integrating corn-based ethanol into its biofuel strategy, India can create a more secure, diversified, and sustainable ethanol production system -- India’s Ethanol Blending Program (EBP) aims to achieve 20 per cent ethanol blending by 2025,
food policy
Back TO HOMEBiodiesel’s Two Decades of Growth in Illinois
by Tom C. Doran (AgriNews) Through the foresight of farmers campaigning for a sales tax exemption over two decades ago, biodiesel production in Illinois has increased fifteenfold. The Illinois Soybean Association through the checkoff played a major role in pushing for the
July 24, 2024 Read Full Article
Cassava Prices Soaring in Nigeria Due to Increased Demand from Ethanol Producers
by Vivek Waghmode (ChiniMandi) The price of cassava is experiencing a rise due to increased competition from industries like ethanol production. This surge in industrial demand is creating a ripple effect, pushing up prices for everyday food items derived from cassava. A staple
July 03, 2024 Read Full Article
The Farm Bill Is an Opportunity for Bold Action on Advanced Biofuels
by Mike McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association/Real Clear Energy) More and more, agriculture and renewable energy production have become inexorably linked. Solar, wind, and biofuels have created new economic potential and horizons of opportunity for American farmers in the last two decades.
June 05, 2024 Read Full Article
EU Parliament’s Environmental Committee Supports Relaxing Rules on Genetically Modified Plants
by Samuel Petrequin (Associated Press) Lawmakers on the European Parliament’s environment committee on Wednesday backed a proposal to relax rules on genetically modified plants produced using so-called new genomic techniques, prompting strong criticism from environmental groups. The issue of genetically modified organisms
January 31, 2024 Read Full Article
Exclusive: India Set to Ban Sugar Exports for First Time in 7 Years
by Rajendra Jadhav and Mayank Bhardwaj (Reuters) India is expected to ban mills from exporting sugar in the next season beginning October, halting shipments for the first time in seven years, as a lack of rain has cut cane yields, three
August 23, 2023 Read Full Article
Farmers, Educators Are Allies in Climate-Smart Agriculture
(Solutions from the Land) ... As co-developer and leader of the Cornell Climate Smart Farming program, (Allison) Chatrchyan is developing powerful and user-friendly tools to help farmers in the Northeast better see how climate change is expected to affect them and what
June 14, 2023 Read Full Article
Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview with Chef José Andrés, Launch of Global Food Institute
(Agri-Pulse) This week’s Open Mic guest is Chef José Andrés. The world-renowned, chef, author and humanitarian believes the power of food can change the world. Andrés recently announced a partnership with George Washington University to build a Global Food Institute
June 11, 2023 Read Full Article
German Biofuel Industry in Jeopardy, and So Is Feed Production
(All about Feed) Germany mulls phasing out crop-based bioethanol production in the coming decade chasing a declared goal to fortify European and world’s food security. However, as market players reveal, the effect of the widely discussed reform is likely to be
May 17, 2023 Read Full Article
Eat Less Meat, We Need Space for Biofuels, German Producer Says
by Jonathan Packroff (EURACTIV) In an ongoing dispute over biofuels made from crops such as rapeseed and wheat, Germany’s biggest biofuel producer argues that reducing meat consumption would be a much better way to free up agricultural space for food production,
April 24, 2023 Read Full Article
China’s Corn-Based Ethanol Fuel Threatens Food Security while Crowding the Market, State Commentary Warns
by Silvia Ma (South China Morning Post) - China is facing a corn-supply shortfall that could put it at the mercy of imports, even as domestic output has seen sharp increases in the last couple of years; - Beijing has
January 17, 2023 Read Full Article
NARA President Testifies on Rendering Sustainability Benefits before House Climate Committee
(North American Renderers Association/Biobased Diesel Daily) Kent Swisher, president and CEO of the North American Renderers Association, testified July 15 before the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis on the sustainability benefits of rendering. Swisher was one of
August 02, 2022 Read Full Article
BSBios to Build Brazil's First Big Wheat Ethanol Plant as Crop Expands
by Ana Mano (Reuters) Brazil's largest biofuel producer BSBios will build the country's first big facility that uses wheat to make ethanol, which will increase, not diminish, food supplies, its chief executive said, amid a global discussion on prioritizing food
July 15, 2022 Read Full Article
What’s Your Take on the 2018 Farm Bill?
by Jenna Hoffman (AgWeb) U.S. House Agriculture Committee is seeking feedback on the previous Farm Bill in preparation for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), House Ag republican leader, says farm bill feedback is “critical” with 2023 Farm Bill
July 14, 2022 Read Full Article
Biofuels Need Holistic-Development Approach instead of ‘Tank-or-Plate’ Discussion
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP)/Biobased Diesel Daily) The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Quota Act is the most important driver for decarbonization of the transport sector with the increasing GHG-reduction commitments until 2030. In view of the
May 17, 2022 Read Full Article
Biofuels Help Ensure Europe’s Energy Security and Sustainability
by Simona Vackeová (ePURE/Ethanol Producer Magazine) As the EU aims to increase its energy independence and steps up its ambitions to fight climate change, it should stay true to its goal of carbon neutrality and not overlook the full potential
May 06, 2022 Read Full Article
German Government Mulls Limiting Biofuel Production
by Julia Dahm (EURACTIV.de translated by Daniel Eck) Germany’s environment and agriculture ministries are reportedly working on restrictions for biofuel production so more grain can be used as human food as agriculture markets remain strained due to the war in Ukraine. EURACTIV
May 02, 2022 Read Full Article
Congressman Rice Introduces Food Before Fuel Act
(Office of Congressman Tom Rice (R-SC 7th) Bill Would Lower Price of Food and Gasoline by Repealing Ethanol Mandate Law -- Congressman Tom Rice (R-SC) introduced the Food Before Fuel Act with Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) to repeal the ethanol mandate
May 02, 2022 Read Full Article
Germany Plans to 'Further Reduce' Use of Crop-Biofuels
by Sophie Barthel (Argus Media) Germany plans to further reduce the use of biofuels produced from food and feed crops because of rising food costs and waning supply of agricultural products caused by disruption of exports from main suppliers Ukraine and
April 29, 2022 Read Full Article
Food or Fuel
by Peeping Tom (Kaieteur News – In 2009, there was a pushback against plans, by then President Bharrat Jagdeo, to use agricultural lands for the cultivation of crops for biofuels. At the time, the world was reeling from the triple
April 18, 2022 Read Full Article
Secy. Vilsack: E15 Won’t Inflate Food Prices, 'There’s Plenty of Corn Here'
by Jenna Hoffman (Farm Journal/AgWeb) Vilsack says concerns over inflated food costs due to increased E15 consumption can be put to rest — any grocery price hike is not coming from E15 because “there’s plenty of corn here.” -- Corn chatter
April 15, 2022 Read Full Article
Grassley Doesn't Mince Words as Food Versus Fuel Debate Ramps Back up
by Mark Dorenkamp (Browfield Ag News) U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley is dismissing the food versus fuel debate that seems to be reemerging after the Biden administration announced it will allow summertime sales of E15. The Iowa Republican tells Brownfield without ethanol farmers
April 15, 2022 Read Full Article
EU Renewable Ethanol Part of Solution for Europe’s Food Security and Fossil-Free Energy
(Biofuels International) ePURE has rubbished claims made by Transport & Environment about the European biofuels lobby taking advantage of people’s concerns over fuel prices. A new study by T&E, reported in Biofuels International last week, has provided evidence that crops are needed much more for
April 11, 2022 Read Full Article
UFOP Chairman Welcomes Coalition's Ambition on Climate Protection and Calls for Inclusion of Biofuels
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP)) The Chairman of the UFOP, Detlef Kurreck, welcomes the aim of the new government coalition to protect the climate. Detlef Kurreck welcomes the goal of the new government coalition to
December 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Biogas, RNG Renaissance: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Ag-Grid Energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Winter is coming, and renewable heating as well as power are in the seasonal conversation. For those facing big heating bills this winter from an expected shortage of fossil natural gas and propane, the remedy is
November 11, 2021 Read Full Article
ASA & NBB Express Concerns over Supply Chain (But Not Soy Oil)
(American Soybean Association) As the House Agriculture Committee hearing on The Immediate Challenges to Our Nation’s Food Supply Chain convenes Nov. 3, producers, processors, and users of soy are expressing their concerns over recent issues ranging from labor shortages to shipping woes. They’re
November 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Bustos Fights for Renewable Fuel Standard in House Ag Committee Hearing
(Office of Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17)) Today (November 3, 2021), during a House Agriculture Committee hearing on the immediate challenges to the nation’s food supply chain, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17)responded to testimony urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set lower
November 04, 2021 Read Full Article
Sweet Talks: Troubled Sugar Industry Pushes for Govt Subsidy to Get into the Biofuel Game
(News 24) SA’s sugar industry is in talks with the government over a potential subsidy that could see it convert more than a third of its annual output into biofuel. The discussions follow the signing of the so-called Sugar Master
October 07, 2021 Read Full Article
An Ambitious Ethanol Plan Spurs Food Security Fears in India
by Bibhudatta Pradhan and Pratik Parija (Bloomberg) Modi advances target for use of 20% ethanol-blended gasoline; Biofuel makers buying rice meant for poor at subsidized prices -- India’s ambitious plan to cut the use of fossil fuels by promoting ethanol derived
October 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Government to Make It Mandatory for Vehicle Manufacturers to Make Flex-Fuel Engines: Nitin Gadkari
(India TV News) Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said that the government will make it mandatory for all the vehicle manufacturers to make flex-fuel engines, after it gets permission from the Supreme Court (SC). Flex-fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative
October 01, 2021 Read Full Article
“What Questions Should We Be Asking About Cell-Based Meats?” A Fellow Responds.
by Andrew Stout (New Harvest) Last month, Forbes contributor Errol Schweizer published a list of questions about cell-based meat, requesting more information from cell ag stakeholders about issues like growth media, antibiotics, and food safety. Andrew Stout, a PhD candidate in
June 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Solutions from the Land Set to Stage Key Side Event For World Food Security Summit Next Week
(Solutions from the Land) Solutions from the Land (SfL) has been selected by organizers of a global food security summit next week to hold a side event which will spotlight systems and practices farmers are using to deliver high value solutions
February 01, 2021 Read Full Article
FAO and IRENA Join Forces to Boost Renewables in Food and Agriculture
(Food and Agriculture Organization) The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) have today underscored their continued commitment to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies in agri-food, fisheries and forestry chains
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
No Rapeseed Methyl Ester Means Noticeably Less Rapeseed Meal
(UFOP/Biobased Diesel Daily) The German and European feed markets benefit significantly from the production of rapeseed-based biodiesel fuels. Rapeseed meal is generated as a joint product of oil production in this value chain. According to the Union zur Förderung von
December 29, 2020 Read Full Article
Stop Arguing over GMO Crops
by Sarah Garland (Scientific American) The vast majority of the scientific community agrees on both their safety and their potential to help feed the world sustainably -- ... In order for global agriculture to rapidly become more sustainable and climate resilient,
December 15, 2020 Read Full Article
Exploring the Sustainability of the Indian Sugar Industry
(Standford University/EurekAlert!) Generations of political support for sugar cultivation have helped India become the second-largest producer of sugar worldwide. Now, the country's commitment to renewable energy could create additional benefits, like conserving natural resources and providing better nutrition to the poor. Stanford
August 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Morocco Looks at Energy Transition with Opportunities for Biomass but Not Crop-Based Biofuels
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Morocco, Eco Actu reports the Economic, Social and Environmental Council is calling for an energy transition nationally based on environmental, social and economic sustainability. Part of the wider policy that is focused on significantly increasing
July 10, 2020 Read Full Article
SfL Takes on New Role to Advance Agricultural Solutions to Global Mega-Challenges
(Solutions from the Land) Solutions from the Land (SfL), a national, farmer-led not-for-profit that works to place farmers at the forefront of resolving global challenges, announced today that it is broadly expanding its mission to combat the interconnected threats the world
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Left Out of USDA Aid Plan
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) U.S. ethanol producers struggling with the largest downturn in the history of the industry were disappointed to hear that the new $19 billion USDA aid program will provide no direct help for them. “While we appreciate that USDA’s new program
April 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Growing Better: Ten Critical Transitions to Transform Food and Land Use
(The Food and Land Use Coalition) The Global Consultation Report of the Food and Land Use Coalition September 2019 -- For people, nature and climate -- There is a remarkable opportunity to transform food and land use systems, but as the challenges
January 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Soil Carbon Science for Policy and Practice
by Mark A. Bradford, Chelsea J. Carey, Lesley Atwood, Deborah Bossio, Eli P. Fenichel, Sasha Gennet, Joseph Fargione, Jonathan R. B. Fisher, Emma Fuller, Daniel A. Kane, Johannes Lehmann, Emily E. Oldfield, Elsa M. Ordway, Joseph Rudek, Jonathan Sanderman &
December 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Talks in Madrid Give Agriculture Another Opportunity to Advance Climate Solutions
(Solutions from the Land) ... Representatives from the North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance (NACSAA), a farmer-led platform for North American agricultural partners facilitated by Solutions from the Land, have been attending and contributing to the global discussions for the last two years.
December 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Global Leaders Issue Report Underscoring Imminent Need for Adaptation
(Solutions from the Land) A panel of political, business and environmental leaders is the latest to issue warnings about the growing climate crisis emanating from increasingly volatile global weather patterns. Citing what it calls new research findings, the Global Commission on Adaptation,
September 12, 2019 Read Full Article
New Data Confirm European Ethanol’s Vital Role in EU Emissions-Reduction, Food Security
(ePURE) Latest statistics from European renewable ethanol association members show record-high greenhouse-gas reduction compared to petrol, major domestic production of animal feed -- European renewable ethanol association (ePURE) members produced 5.81 billion litres of ethanol and 5.55 million tonnes of beneficial
September 06, 2019 Read Full Article
UK’s AD Industry Welcomes Weekly Food Waste Collection in England
(Bioenergy Insight) The UK government have published a consultation in which ministers have financially committed to funding local authorities to introduce weekly food waste collections for all households in England from 2023. The Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association (ADBA) has welcomed the
February 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Etihad Airways Flies the World’s First Flight Using Fuel Made in The UAE From Plants Grown in Saltwater by Khalifa University
(Etihad Airways/Aviation Pros) The Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC), a non-profit entity established by Masdar Institute that is part of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, announced the world’s first commercial flight using locally produced sustainable fuel on an Etihad Airways
January 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Ag Policy Blog: Peterson Elected House Ag Chairman
by Jerry Hagstrom (DTN The Progressive Farmer) House Democrats on Friday elected Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, a position Peterson held from 2007 to 2011 when his party last was in the majority in the
January 07, 2019 Read Full Article
Bringing the Concept of Climate-Smart Agriculture to Life : Insights from CSA Country Profiles Across Africa, Asia, and Latin America (English)
(The World Bank) Bringing the Concept of Climate-Smart Agriculture to Life: Insights from CSA Country Profiles across Africa, Asia, and Latin America The Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Country Profile Series assesses climate change challenges and solutions in the agricultural sectors of more than
January 03, 2019 Read Full Article
UN Food and Agriculture Organization Highlights Climate Smart Agriculture
(UN Food and Agriculture Organization) Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is an approach that helps to guide actions needed to transform and reorient agricultural systems to effectively support development and ensure food security in a changing climate. CSA aims to tackle three main
January 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Opinion: Abundant Food and Energy Choices Are More than a Luxury
by A.G. Kawamura (Solutions from the Land/Agri-Pulse) Since my return last week from the global climate talks in Katowice, Poland, I continue to mentally struggle with the events, actions and lack of actions I witnessed there that will have a significant impact
December 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Farm Carbon and Biofuels: Focus of Carbon Sequestration and Farming More Practical Than Global Climate Talks
by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Ohio corn farmer Fred Yoder returned late Friday from a frustrating week in Poland listening to foreign ministers and others talk about what they think farmers globally must do to address climate change. As chairman
December 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Agri-Tech Can Turn African Savannah into Global Food Basket – African Development Bank
(African Development Bank Group) The African Development Bank is championing a new regional and global effort to transform the African Savannah from a “Sleeping Giant” to the cradle of the continent’s green revolution. “This sleeping giant needs to wake up,” the Bank’s
October 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Asia’s Climate Arsenal: Are Biofuels Back?
by Beth Walker (The Third Pole) Biofuels will dominate future growth in renewables and are essential for decarbonizing the most difficult sectors; China and India should lead the way, argues new EIA report -- ... Bioenergy from liquid biofuels and biogas will
October 12, 2018 Read Full Article
GAF 2018: From Precision Farming to Fuel Cell Challenges
by Laís F. Thomaz*(Advanced Biofuels USA) The Global Agribusiness Forum event took place on July 23 and 24 2018 at the Sheraton WTC in São Paulo, Brazil, and brought together leaders from more than 60 countries. [caption id="attachment_100204" align="alignleft" width="300"] Ambassadors
August 08, 2018 Read Full Article
Leahy among Lawmakers Taking Farm Bill to Conference
(WCAX) Both houses of Congress have passed their respective versions of the Farm Bill, a massive piece of legislation that affects farmers around the country. Now, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, will try to come together to
August 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Climate Taxes on Agriculture Could Lead to More Food Insecurity than Climate Change Itself
(International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis/Phys.Org) New IIASA-led research has found that a single climate mitigation scheme applied to all sectors, such as a global carbon tax, could have a serious impact on agriculture and result in far more widespread hunger
August 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Food Waste Summit Proceedings Available
(BioCycle Magazine) The U.S. Food Waste Summit 2018, June 26-27, 2018 at the Harvard Law School (HLS) in Cambridge (MA), was cohosted by the HLS Food Law and Policy Clinic and ReFED. Nearly 350 innovators, capital providers, businesses, researchers, policymakers, and enthusiasts
July 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Saying ‘No’ to Palm Oil Would Likely Displace, Not Halt Biodiversity Loss – IUCN report
(IUCN) Banning palm oil would most likely increase the production of other oil crops to meet demand for oil, displacing rather than halting the significant global biodiversity losses caused by palm oil, warned an IUCN report published today (June 26, 2018). The
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Isobutanol’s Horizons: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Gevo has two proprietary technologies that combine to make it possible to retrofit existing ethanol plants to produce isobutanol, a four carbon alcohol which serves as a hydrocarbon platform molecule. They have developed an industrial scale
April 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Proteins and Renewable Energy: One and the Same Challenge
(Farm Europe) Despite 30 years of efforts and no less than 5 “protein plans”, the European Union still suffers from a considerable chronic deficit in plant proteins: more than 30 million tonnes of soybean crops were imported during 2016-17. This figure comes under
April 02, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the 10-Year OECD-FAO Outlook for Ag, Biofuels
The latest joint OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook spawned this fascinating 10 year outlook of global biofuel markets and agricultural feedstocks. This model based projection, validated through global expert consensus, includes major food commodities and biofuels driven by the outlooks on population, GDP, fossil
February 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Avoiding GMOs Isn’t Just Anti-Science. It’s Immoral.
by Mitch Daniels (The Washington Post) Of the several claims of “anti-science” that clutter our national debates these days, none can be more flagrantly clear than the campaign against modern agricultural technology, most specifically the use of molecular techniques to create
December 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Shift to Sustainable Food System in Europe Is Possible, but Faces Challenges
(European Environment Agency) Making Europe’s production, consumption and trade in food environmentally sustainable is possible, but it will require a major shift in public attitudes, policies and knowledge and seizing current opportunities for change, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA)
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Agricultural Biotechnology Education and Outreach Initiative November 2017 Meetings
(U.S. Food and Drug Administration) The U.S Food and Drug Administration is announcing public meetings to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, and San Francisco, California, regarding its Agricultural Biotechnology Education and Outreach Initiative. Congress appropriated $3 million to fund this
October 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Interview — Growing Food or Fuel on Our Land?
(European Environment Agency) Only a decade ago, biofuel production from plants was hailed as an ecological alternative to fossil fuels. Recently, it has come to be seen as competing with food production and not always an effective solution in reducing
August 31, 2017 Read Full Article
Pan-African Food and Non-Food Biomass Expert Network Unveiled
by Liz Gyekye (Bioenergy Insight) The “first” pan-African expert network on food and non-food biomass has been launched by African and German researchers. BiomassNet aims to ensure that food security and environmental sustainability are not compromised in the development of new
August 08, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuel Potential in Southeast Asia: Raising Food Yields, Reducing Food Waste and Utilising Residues
(International Renewable Energy Agency) Southeast Asia has considerable resources to produce liquid biofuels sustainably, using biomass feedstocks that would not cause carbon-dioxide emissions or interfere with food supply. Fulfilling the region’s biofuel potential would depend on increased residue collection from food
July 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Corn Farmers, Biofuels Have More to Offer
by Mark Sponsler (Colorado Corn/Journal-Advocate) ... Oxygenating gasoline is required under Clean Air Act amendments, and ethanol — with its clean-burning qualities — has long been regarded as the best additive for that. For years, adding 10 percent ethanol to gasoline
July 20, 2017 Read Full Article
Bangladesh Slammed for Plan to Promote Ethanol Fuel
(The Rakyat Post) Bangladesh plans to begin turning some of the grain it produces into ethanol to make its fuel greener – but economists and experts warn the move could hurt food security in a country that is already a
May 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Trump on Ethanol: Supportive, but Few Comments
by Patrick Anderson (Argus Leader) President Donald Trump has never tweeted about ethanol. In the course of tens of thousands of posts on his social media platform of choice, the president has posted about oil about 150 times, about Rosie
April 11, 2017 Read Full Article
EU Clamps Down on Imports of Unsustainable Palm Oil for Biofuels
(European Parliament/Biomass Magazine) To counter the impact of unsustainable palm oil production such as deforestation and habitat degradation, particularly in Southeast Asia, the EU should introduce a single certification scheme for palm oil entering the EU market and phase out
April 10, 2017 Read Full Article
The Rockefeller Foundation, USDA, and EPA to Lead Creation of National Resource Center for Action Against Food Waste
(PR Newswire) Coalition of 12 organizations set to launch FurtherWithFood.org, an online hub for information and solutions to cut food waste -- Today, The Rockefeller Foundation announced its collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection
January 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Change Is in the Air for Food Sustainability
by Robin Booker (The Western Producer) There are many innovative products and services available to Canadian crop producers that could help improve sustainability. However, the global food sector is struggling to find ways to reward growers who adapt sustainable technologies and
January 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Recent Renewables Required Reading: What Can You Skip, What d’ya Gotta Read?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, in Washington and Brussels, four news flashes on global renewable fuel volumes appeared on the radar. Can you safely ignore them and get on with other work, or is there something to get deeply
December 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Pakistan-Based Trade Organisation Calls for Worldwide Ban on Biofuels Production
(Biofuels International) The Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders (ICST) has called for a worldwide ban on biofuels production, claiming that it contributes to world food shortages. Using crops to produce fuel in a bid to reduce dependence on fossil fuel is
September 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Thai Firm Announces Plans to Expand Biodiesel Production Capacity
(Biofuels International) Global Green Chemicals, a Thai oleochemicals company, has announced plans to increase its biodiesel production capacity by setting up a second methyl-ester plant in Chon Buri province, located in the southeast of Bangkok. GCC plans to increase biodiesel output,
August 05, 2016 Read Full Article
5 Signs Your Current Good Manufacturing Processes Are Ready for the Food Safety Modernization Act
by Phil Cleary (Christianson & Associates/Biofuels Digest) The Food Safety Modernization Act covers the operation of a facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds animal food for sale in the United States. Renewable fuels facilities producing feed co-products are no exception. In
July 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Seaweed Gains Ground as a Pillar of Food Security in South America
by Orlando Milesi (Inter Press Service) Seaweed, a nutrient-rich foodstuff that was a regular part of the diet of several South American indigenous peoples, is emerging as a new pillar of food security in Latin America and is providing a livelihood
July 05, 2016 Read Full Article
More than 100 Nobel Laureates Support GMOs
by Kelly Marshall (Precision.AgWired.com) This morning three Nobel Laureates presented at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. to call on Greenpeace, the United Nations and governments around the world to support GMOs. They are the public face of more
July 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Royal Society Calls for Review of European GM Ban
by Pallab Ghosh (BBC) The ban on GM crops by European countries should be reassessed, the president of UK science body the Royal Society says. -- Prof Venki Ramakrishnan said the science of genetic modification had been misunderstood by the public
May 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Report Release Presentation of "Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects"
(National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine) Distinction Between Genetic Engineering and Conventional Plant Breeding Becoming Less Clear, Says New Report on GE Crops -- An extensive study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has found that
May 22, 2016 Read Full Article
NAS Reaffirms Safety and Benefits of GMOs
by Kelly Marshall (Precision Ag Wired) The National Academy of Sciences has released (yet another) reportreaffirming the safety and benefits of GMO crops. Not surprisingly this report has lead to a flurry of reactions across multiple social media platforms, both positive
May 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Food & Ag Groups Urge Support for Biotech Education Provision
by Karen Batra (Biotech Now) As the House Committee on Appropriations marks up the FY2017 agriculture spending bill, the Committee is considering $3 million for consumer education and outreach to “promote understanding and acceptance of” biotechnology, a joint effort by the
April 25, 2016 Read Full Article
New, Evolving Coproducts Require Regulatory Due Diligence
by Kurt A. Rosentrator (Distillers Grains Technology Council/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Altered, novel products may require new AAFCO definitions, GRAS affirmations. -- ... During the past two years, we have reviewed and commented on two key rulings in the Food Safety Modernization Act,
April 15, 2016 Read Full Article
China's Grain Reforms to Boost Depressed Corn Processing Industry
by Niu Shuping and David Stanway (Reuters/AgWeek) China's plan to let the market set corn prices is bad news for international grain exporters, but should boost the country's struggling corn processors that use the grain in products ranging from food
April 06, 2016 Read Full Article
What Biodiesel Producers Should Know about Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) If your glycerin or free fatty acids may find their way into the food or feed supply, you must comply with the daunting Food Safety Modernization Act -- ... Moreover, if you’re a grease collector and
January 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Legally Defining Sustainability: Edible Palm Oil Must Follow in Biofuel Footsteps
by Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn (News Locker) Voluntary measures and government targets are great – but it is legislation that will push European palm oil users to true sustainability. The food sector could learn a lesson or two from biofuel here. READ MORE
December 02, 2015 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Nova’s Scenarios for Biomass Supply through 2050
by Stephan Piotrowski, Michael Carus and Roland Essel (nova-Institut /Biofuels Digest) How much biomass can be sustainably produced globally by 2050? How much of the demand for food, feed, materials, bioenergy and biofuels can be met by this supply? Dr. Stephan Piotrowski,
October 26, 2015 Read Full Article
UN Data Shows That Ethanol is Not Causing Food Price Rises
(Global Renewable Fuels Alliance) The UN FAO has released data showing that global food prices have experience the steepest monthly drop since 2008, casting doubt upon concerns about the impact of ethanol production in food price increases. The recent decline
September 14, 2015 Read Full Article
FDA Releases Details of FSMA Rule, Extends Compliance Deadlines
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Meeting a court directed deadline, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration submitted the final rule for the Food Safety Modernization Act for publication at the end of August, releasing information on its website on
September 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Dear EPA: The RFS Supports Food AND Fuel
by Coral Didion (Renewable Fuels Association) Food versus fuel is the misconception that we are diverting farmland and crops toward biofuel production to the detriment of the food supply. Didion Milling, which has been in business since 1972, producing corn meal,
September 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Food in the Age of Biofuels
by Jose Graziano da Silva (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization/Project Syndicate) ... But this is a false dichotomy. The choice cannot be between food and fuel. We can make good use of both. Given the right conditions, biofuels can be an effective means
July 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Key Excerpts Related to Fossil Fuels from Pope Francis' Encyclical on the Environment
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) The following are key excerpts from Pope Francis' Encyclical, “Laudato Si,” or “Praised Be,” in which he calls for renewable fuel use, energy efficiency, transition from harmful, smoky cooking fuels that foster deforestation, and other
June 19, 2015 Read Full Article
Wanted: Antibiotic-Free Chicken
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Consumer-driven changes peck their way up the food chain to distillers grains producers. ... The move to minimize or eliminate nontherapeutic use of antibiotics in meat production is a response to the increasing
June 02, 2015 Read Full Article
3 Steps to Decarbonizing Development for a Zero-Carbon Future
(World Bank) Getting to zero net emissions and stabilizing climate change starts with planning for the long-term future and not stopping at short-term goals. It means getting prices right as part of a broad policy package that can trigger changes in
May 14, 2015 Read Full Article
How I Got Converted to G.M.O. Food
by Mark Lynas (The New York Times) ... As we squatted in the muddy field, examining the lush green foliage and shiny purple fruits, he explained how, for the first time this season, he had been able to stop using pesticides. This
April 29, 2015 Read Full Article
The Food Waste Debacle
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last week there was a Fast Food industry fly-in to DC — arguing for a repeal of the Renewable Fuel Standard on the grounds of food price impact. ... It just happens that major report on
March 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Yes, We Can Live Well and Avoid Climate Disaster, Says UK Government
by Fiona Harvey (The Guardian) We can fly, drive and prosper while avoiding dangerous global warming – but only if billions remain in poverty and huge changes are made in areas such as energy and agriculture, new analysis from Decc’s
February 06, 2015 Read Full Article
Report Offers a Framework to Help Policymakers, Researchers, and Other Stakeholders Analyze the Effects of Potential Changes to the U.S. Food System
(WebWire) To aid U.S. policymakers and other stakeholders who make decisions about the nation’s food system, a new report from the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council offers a framework for assessing the health, environmental, social, and economic effects
January 16, 2015 Read Full Article
RFA Comments on FDA Animal Food Supplemental Rulemaking
(Ethanol Producer Magazine/Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association has submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration last on its supplemental rulemaking proposal outlining best practices for the regulation of animal food under the Food Safety Modernization Act. The FSMA lays
December 22, 2014 Read Full Article
New Food Safety Rules Mean Big Changes
by Andrew Anderson (Faegre Baker Daniels/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Although several new requirements in the FSMA may impact ethanol plants, writes Andrew Anderson of Faegre Baker Daniels, the preventative control rule is likely the one that will have the most significant
November 20, 2014 Read Full Article
The GMO Debate: 5 Things to Stop Arguing
by Tamar Haspel (The Washington Post) ... I’m guessing you’d agree that the public debate about GMOs isn’t playing out in a constructive way. Both sides have dug trenches, and they’re lobbing grenades over the wall while nothing much changes. It’s
October 31, 2014 Read Full Article
DDG Manufacturers Seek Better Understanding of FSMA Compliance
by Katie Fletcher (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A popular breakout session at the 2014 American Coalition for Ethanol conference discussed the potential impacts the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act may have on plant operations. Paula Emberland of Christian
August 08, 2014 Read Full Article
FDA Responds to Crafter Brewers' Concerns on FSMA
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... In mid-April, Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) wrote to the FDA commissioner, urging the agency exempt raw agricultural commodities, distillers grains and other byproducts. In the letter, Johanns wrote, “I am concerned about FDA