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Biofuel will not impact US food security

Jacob Dubail

San Juan Biofuels Cooperative
United States

2008年1月3日 | EN

Biofuel production will not negatively impact access or availability of food in the United States (see Biofuel revolution threatens food security for the poor).

'Number 2' corn, the corn we use for biofuel production, is not digestible by humans — at least, not until it is processed into products like high fructose corn syrup, maltodextrin and a variety of other food additives. 

Moreover, the only reason global corn prices are so low is because the United States government subsidises US growers based on yield. Therefore, growers are incentivised to grow more corn, which leads to an over-supplied market. In turn, this leads to decreased global prices for corn and other agricultural products. 

The strong international policies that I think are needed to prevent the "biofuel revolution threatening food security for the poor" include:

  • stopping the consumption of foods that contain processed corn. These foods typically lack nutritional value, and are highly processed and calorie-dense. This will result in higher quantities of low-quality corn to be used for biofuel production. It will also send a message that you do not support unfair US agricultural subsidies that set artificially low global food prices;
  • buying locally grown and organic food. Support local food networks. Grow the food if you can. That is the cheapest and healthiest way to eat, and it increases food security;
  • avoiding the global food market. It wastes vast quantities of fossil fuels. More calories are burned transporting food than the transported food contains. Keep it local.

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