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04/13/2008: "British Chancellor questions whether biofuels are ethical when there is a food shortage"

Alistair Darling has demanded an urgent review of international biofuel programmes as part of a plan to tackle the world's mounting food crisis. The Chancellor said he had asked the World Bank to produce an analysis - for June's G7 meeting of global leaders - on the impact of green policies, including America and Europe's biofuel programmes, on global food shortages.

'This is an urgent problem,' said Darling, who was speaking in Washington at a meeting of G7 leaders. 'People across the world will say, "Why didn't you see this coming?" when it is staring us in the face. We have got to take action.'

He added: 'It would be a profound mistake if we get into a situation where we are growing corn that is essential for feeding people and converting it into fuel. That is not sustainable.'

[ It isn't sustainable to grow biofuels and nor is it sustainable to feed the world. ]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/apr/13/biofuels.energy