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Last update : 28.10.2010

The public debate on agrofuels changed dramatically over the past year. What started out as an intriguing proposal on an apparently innovative alternative fuel source quickly turned into an important and contentious topic of international discussion. The United States, the European Union and many developing countries set ambitious targets for agrofuel consumption. But these goals were not matched by appropriate caution about the potential impacts of this new demand for agricultural goods on food prices, the environment, or local economies. The sharp rise in food prices around the world brought these issues into the public focus. While estimates of the precise impact of agrofuel production on food prices vary, it is clear that the greater demand for grains resulting from that production — along with rising petroleum costs, increased droughts and flooding resulting from climate change, and the lack of adequate public support for agricultural production — all had major impacts on food prices. ActionAid believes that it is time to stop the headlong rush to agrofuel production, to assess the impacts to date, and to listen to what farmers and consumers are saying about their needs for food and fuel production.

Added on 20 February 2009
Politics :: Economy :: Society :: Agriculture :: Biofuels :: Sustainability :: International

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