Demand for green biofuels has played a ’significant’ part in pushing up food prices, a Government report says. Since April, all diesel and petrol sold in the UK has contained 2.5% biofuel, while by 2010 the figure will increase to 5%. Europe is considering a 10% target by 2020. Most biofuels are derived from food crops such as corn, palm, soya and rapeseed instead of a future ’second generation’ which could be based on non-food crops. In the U.S. around a third of all corn is used for fuel, while half of Europe’s vegetable oil goes towards biofuel production.
The current food crisis will continue unless Governments drop these targets and concentrate on cutting fuel use by improving public transport.
