Biofuels starving our people, leaders tell UN

The leaders of Bolivia and Peru have attacked the use of biofuels, saying they have made food too expensive for the poor.

Speaking at the United Nations, the Bolivian president, Evo Morales, said the increased use of farmland for fuel crops was causing a “tremendous increase” in food prices.


The Reuters news agency reported that the Peruvian president, Alan Garcia, also spoke out, calling on developed countries to grow more food. In the last few months, food prices in Peru have run ahead of the country’s general rate of inflation.

Their attack coincided with a report published today by the environmental group Friends of the Earth warning the EU of the perils of expanding biofuel use in Latin America. Last year the EU agreed on a target of 10% biofuel use for transport 2020.

Guardian