Lobby Groups Pressure G8 Nations to Rethink Biofuel Mandates

Prominent lobby groups in Europe are mounting pressure on leaders of the G8 nations to reconsider their support for biofuel targets amid overwhelming concerns on food security, rising food prices and land use competition in developing countries.

Among those questioning the G8 biofuel policies are a British parliamentary select committee and the Enough Food for Everyone, or IF campaign, which includes some 200 British and international groups lobbying to reduce world hunger.

A British Parliament select committee is completing its enquiry into world hunger and food security ahead the G8 summit this year. At recent hearings, the impacts of EU biofuel policies, especially on developing nations, have been questioned by lawmakers. IF campaigners are urging the G8 nations to acknowledge biofuel production as a "significant issue" in the light of increasing land-for-biofuels deals in developing countries that potentially lead to food supply problems.

Britain, which chairs the G8 this year, is holding a global meeting on nutrition and food on June 8, a week before the regular G8 summit in Northern Ireland. Besides Britain, the G8 members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States. Only Japan and Russia have not set biofuel targets for transport.