So, the message is getting through at last.
After a plethora of warnings from the UN down for biofuel development to be put on hold, Brussels is finally taking note.
The Guardian reported on Saturday that the European Commission was back-tracking on its demand that 10 per cent of transport fuel be biofuel by 2010 with one official admitting the ‘commission has become a prisoner of this process’.
This reflects poorly on the extent of Brussels’ courage in leading its member states. Nevertheless, bureaucrats have a ready-made get out of jail free card. They admit they could turn a blind eye if individual governments ordered a U-turn on legislation requiring increased biofuel sales. They should do more than that. They should encourage those governments to do so immediately.
Time and again, biofuels have been linked with food shortages and food riots across Africa and elsewhere with one UK newspaper reporting that almost 40 countries were affected.
Biofuel development is also thought to be driving habitat destruction and with it the loss or decline of already rare wildlife. Rainforest, savannah including the precious Cerrado of Brazil, peatlands and grasslands are all being sacrificed at the altar of biofuels. In Britain, energy crops are being grown on former set-aside land – land that 12 months ago was harbouring declining farmland birds.
Gordon Brown wants the dangers of biofuels high on the agenda at the next G8 meeting in June and Chancellor Alistair Darling has reiterated the Prime Minister’s concerns to world leaders.
The RSPB led the barrage of criticism of the UK’s biofuels’ policies closely followed by government scientists, the UN and World Food Programme and other environment and development groups.
Had the government listened then, a U-turn would have been far easier than it is now with the transport fuel requirement – the RTFO - now on the statute book. It’s never too late to say you’re sorry though and it isn’t too late now to scrap this ill-conceived law.
Click here for the Guardian report