Today in Biofuels Opinion: Mubarak asks “Is it logical or even acceptable that agricultural crops are used to produce ethanol?”

At the World Economic Forum, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt: “Is it logical or even acceptable that agricultural crops are used to produce ethanol, leading to a worse crisis in food prices?”

Also at the Forum, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York: “We need to be more careful in food production and mindful that there are things we can do that harm production. For example, Brazil is displacing livestock into the rainforest, and that means the rainforest is coming down, and that means less rain on the plains so they are not able to grow the bioethanol. It’s a balance we have to think very carefully about.”

From street interviews by Hoosier Ag Today conducted at a gas station where consumers had filled up with ethanol:

Q: Have you ever used ethanol in your car?
A: “No”

Q; Did you know the fuel they are putting in your care right now contains ethanol?
A: “No.”

Q: Would you be willing to try some ethanol in your fuel?
A: “Sure, if it saves me money.”

Q: What do you know about ethanol?
A: “Not much, only what they have on TV.”

Q: Do you know what ethanol is made of?
A: “Oh yes, corn oil.”

Q: What is your opinion about ethanol?
A: “I want to learn more about it to make sure it is not going to hurt my car or anything.”

Q: What do you think about ethanol?
A: “I think it is great; anything that will help our country use less gasoline is good.”

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