Australia: Ethanol target a big problem

The major biofuel in Australia is ethanol, which is made from sugar cane and grain.

But a government research paper released today says Australia may be forced to import wheat if the target is met and drought is still raging.
“If all of the ethanol capacity that is currently proposed was to be fulfilled by existing crops … it could force the import of wheat in drought years,” the paper said.

“There are biosecurity issues restricting the import of grain from overseas markets.”

Australia’s wheat growers, on average, generate enough grain to make the nation self sufficient and has about a 16 per cent share of the global market in the golden grain.

If wheat was to be imported, Biosecurity Australia would have to conduct an assessment of the grain.

News.com.au