Bashing biofuels

With the growing public concern about the impact of biofuels on global food supplies, farm groups and farm state politicians are stepping up their case in the debate. New stories on Agriculture Online make the case that ethanol and other biofuels are a relatively small contributor to higher food prices and actually are helping temper skyrocketing fuel prices.

Yesterday, Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) defended the ethanol industry by urging EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson not to roll back the Renewable Fuel Standard, which was part of last year's federal energy bill.

"At a time when a barrel of crude oil costs nearly $120 and gasoline prices are approaching $4 a gallon, the fuel produced by the U.S. ethanol industry is helping to extend our fuel supply and keep prices lower," the senators said.