Born: Plate and tank can coexist

Panel discussion within the framework of the specialist congress "Fuels of the Future"

Up until a year ago, the production of renewable raw materials in agriculture was still considered an effective means of protecting the climate and ensuring security of supply for energy and fuels. On the other hand, one must get the impression today that biofuels are to blame for hunger in the world. These are all extreme positions without a realistic background. This was emphasized by the Secretary General of the German Farmers' Association (DBV), Dr. Helmut Born, as part of a panel discussion at the 6th International Congress for Biofuels in Berlin. According to his statement, it is possible for “plate and tank” to coexist. In Europe, for example, just 2,5 percent of the grain harvest would be processed into bioethanol.

Born admitted that "a small but existing influence of bioenergy on the price of agricultural raw materials cannot be explained away". Any additional demand for agricultural commodities has an effect on the price. But higher prices for agricultural commodities would not mean increasing hunger in the world. Two thirds of all hungry people in the world are people in rural areas who can only farm if their products cover the costs of cultivation. "Therefore, higher prices for agricultural products are not only essential for the survival of European farmers, but especially for farmers in the third world," said Born. Hunger can only be counteracted where farmers earn money with their products.

Born spoke out in favor of biofuels having to be produced sustainably. Therefore, the efforts of the federal government and the European Parliament to establish a sustainability regulation are to be welcomed. It is essential that the conditions of cross compliance also apply to imports from overseas. Born emphasized that the criteria for ensuring sustainable biofuel production that are currently being discussed within the framework of the Renewable Energies Directive are promising, but are far from meeting the level of European requirements. In order to achieve the goals of German and European fuel policy, the policy must be long-term and create reliable framework conditions, demanded Born. The DBV therefore strictly rejects a political zigzag course, as is currently being pursued in Germany in the area of ​​biofuel quotas.

Source: Berlin [DBV]