Biofuels ‘not linked to food prices’

Biofuel production has almost no impact on food supplies and Government must stop hiding behind the tabloid "food or fuel" debate, according to a leading figure in the biofuels industry.


Graham Hilton, chair of the Renewable Transport Fuels Working Group and managing director of The Energy Crops Company, accused the Government of panicking in the face of public criticism of biofuels.

Reacting to the publication of the Gallagher Review, he said the report contradicted Defra’s own conclusions about the impact on the food production industry.

“Defra have confirmed that biofuels have virtually no impact on the cost of food,” he said.

“The real reasons behind the rise in the cost of food are lack of investment, an increase in the fuel costs of agriculture and severe weather impacts such as drought and floods.”

He said the biofuels industry is working hard to ensure it is responsible and sustainable – claiming other industries are lagging far behind their efforts.

“Government should stop hiding behind tabloids and have the courage to encourage an industry that has done more than anybody to put the safeguards in place and to make a real contribution,” Mr Hilton added.

edie wants to know what our readers think about Mr Hilton’s argument.

Is the “fuel or food” debate redundant? Is it hijacking the debate about biofuels when there are other more important issues that should be discussed? Or are food prices a central concern when it comes to biofuels?

Watch his speech in full below and join the debate on edie TV by following this link.

Kate Martin

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