Are agrofuels responsible for food shortages and increases in prices?
While agrofuels are not the only factor in the massive increase in food prices over the last couple of years, most experts agree that they are a major factor. A leaked report from the World Bank suggests that biofuels are responsible for world food price rises of around 75%. Countries where people spend 50-80% of their money on food are the ones where such increases will be felt the most. Oxfam has stated that 600 million more people than already predicted will not have enough to eat by 2020 due to these targets. Grain reserves are now at an all-time low, despite this the EU is looking to increase the amount of biodiesel produced. The financial incentive is for more people to grow crops for fuel rather than food. Even in our own affluent country people are complaining about high food prices. So to be pursuing this target, which will lead to further increases in the cost of food and reduce the amount grown for human consumption, is baffling to say the least. Displacement of native peopl
