US attacked at food summit over biofuels

The US came under intense criticism yesterday for its policy of promoting biofuels, which a senior UN official claimed was diverting food away from the hungry “to satisfy a thirst for fuel for vehicles”.

The biofuel issue quickly emerged as the most contentious at a summit on the global food crisis being held in Rome. American claims that its subsidies for the production of corn ethanol were not playing a significant role in sharp increases in the price of food triggered an angry response during a closed-door meeting, and was contradicted by UN figures.

The issue will be debated at a round table session today, where an official of the food and agriculture organisation (FAO) predicted “sparks will fly”.

Guardian