UN FAO Director's Comments on Biofuels Misguided: GRFA

TORONTO, Canada – As the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture draws to a close in Berlin, The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance has challenged new FAO Director General, Jose Graziano Da Silva on his simplistic and misinformed critique of biofuels and their alleged impact on commodity prices.

“Mr. Da Silva has failed to recognize that the rising price of fossil fuels is the primary driver in the rising cost of all commodities including corn and sugar,” said GRFA spokesperson, Bliss Baker. David Hallam, the FAO’s own Deputy Director has gone on record saying that “unexpected oil price spikes could further exacerbate an already precarious situation in food markets.”

Many international organizations have back tracked on their criticism of biofuels based on research which has found biofuels to have played a very minor role in the escalation of food prices globally. Even the FAO in a September 2010 report suggested that, “increased demand for biofuels will help revitalize the worldwide agricultural sector without putting our secure food supply in jeopardy.”

“Mr. Da Silva would do well to listen to the International Energy Agency’s dire warnings about our future energy security when commenting on biofuels,” said Mr. Baker.  “The IEA concluded that biofuels could provide 27% of total transport fuel by 2050 and avoid around 2.1 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions per year when produced sustainably - without jeopardizing food security,” said Mr. Baker

The GRFA has repeatedly called for an increase in the use of biofuels to help reduce the world’s crippling reliance on crude oil.

“I urge the new FAO Director General to focus on the real cause of high food prices - the rising cost of fossil fuels,” concluded Baker.

The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biofuel friendly policies internationally. Alliance members represent over 65% of the global biofuels production from 44 countries. Through the development of new technologies and best practices, the Alliance members are committed to producing renewable fuels with the smallest possible footprint.