‘Biofuel not the cause of expensive food’

Manila-based Asian Institute of Petroleum Studies Inc. (AIPSI) and the US National Biofuels Board (NBB) said biofuels have limited impact on food supply and pricing, especially in the Philippines.

The two institutions issued statements in response to United Kingdom’s Gallagher Review of the biofuel industry, which raised concerns that production of biofuels was causing the steep rise in food prices.

“While the Gallagher Review is specific to the United Kingdom’s own renewable fuels policies, it is fair to note that the research done by US experts and the US Department of Agriculture has proven that biofuels-related feedstock demand has limited impact on global food supply and pricing,” said US NBB chief executive Joe Jobe.

He noted that with gas prices soaring to more than $4 per gallon, the addition of biofuels to the US fuel supply is one of the only things keeping prices from going higher.

ABS-CBN