US confirms $200 million in food aid, more available; says energy prices, not biofuels, leading to food inflation

April 16, 2008

In Washington, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reaffirmed that the US view is that rising energy costs are the cause of food inflation, while Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer said that the US would make more wheat available than President Bush’s initial $200 million pledge if needed to alleviate world hunger.

North Dakota Corn Growers Association blames inflation, not ethanol, for food price hikes

The Minot (N.D.) News reports remarks by the executive director of the North Dakota Corn Growers Association and Utilization Council blaming inflation, not corn, for the recent rise in food prices. "W...

IMF report relays concerns on use of food as biofuel feedstock; calls for elimination of trade barriers to alleviate pressure on food prices

A biannual IMF report on the world economy said that "The use of food as a source of fuel may have serious implications for the demand for food if the expansion of biofuels continues. One country's po...

“Days of cheap food may be over” as researchers apportion blame for food inflation to biofuels, Chinese meat consumption, and crop failures

"The days of cheap food may be over," said Benjamin Senauer, co-director of the University of Minnesota's Food Industry Center. His remarks come as food prices rose in 2007 at double the typical infla...

Hormel Foods survey finds 58 percent of Americans say role of ethanol should be rethought in light of food prices

In Minnesota, a survey by Hormel Foods has found that 67 percent of Americans say that food prices have increased significantly in the past year, and 61 percent believe that corn ethanol is partly res...

Earth Policy Institute says 30 percent of US corn will divert to biofuels in 2008; will push meat, dairy prices skyward

In Washington, the president of the Earth Policy Institute said that 30 percent of the US corn crop will be used for ethanol in 2008 and will lead to price increases for food prices. Lester Brown told...

Australian study confirms greenhouse gas emission reductions from biodiesel blends

In Australia, a CSIRO report confirms that the use of B2 biodiesel made from tallow reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 1.5 percent, while the use of B20 results in a 15 percent reduction in greenhous...

Written by Jim Lane · Filed Under Policy