Peru's president: Food must be number one priority
Tuesday, 22 Apr 2008 12:48
Concerns have been raised that biofuels could be increasing food prices
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Peru's president Alan Garcia has criticised the focus on biofuels for putting food production at risk.
Mr Garcia said the demand for biofuels is harming food production and increasing food prices, affecting the world's poor.
Biofuel production is linked to rising prices of wheat, soy and corn.
His comments come as a report from the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation warns that large-scale biofuel production may increase marginalisation of women in rural areas.
The study says the growing global demand for liquid biofuels, combined with increased land requirements, could put pressure on so-called 'marginal' lands, which provide key subsistence functions to the rural poor and are frequently farmed by women.
Biofuels are one of the issues being discussed today at a 'food summit' hosted by UK prime minister Gordon Brown.
Food producers, retailers and consumer groups are debating how to deal with the growing world food crisis.
In an article ahead of the meeting Mr Brown said: "Biofuels, intended to promote energy independence and combat climate change, are frequently energy inefficient.
"We need to look closely at the impact on food prices and the environment of different production methods and to ensure we are more selective in our support."