biofuels

The Bush administration on Wednesday was downplaying the role of biofuels production in rising food prices. The debate involves questions of blame for rapidly inflating prices for staple crops that have led to famine and riots in many parts of the world. Some economists and food scientists have argued that biofuel production should be scaled back because it is a major factor in rising food costs, particularly corn.

A top British Government official has warned that the rush towards biofuels is threatening world food production and the lives of billions of people. According to a report in the Times of London, John Beddington, the British Government's chief scientific adviser, has issued the warning in a statement.