'Untruths'about renewable energy and biofuels dispelled by British farmers' group leader

It would be a tragedy if bio-energy development, which has so much to offer, were to be held back by myths and misconceptions. We have a great opportunity and we want to take it, but we must maintain our commitment to the environment and sustainability while, importantly, taking our customers with us.

These were the thoughts of Britain's National Farmers Union (NFU) president Peter Kendall, seeking to dispel some of the "untruths" being spoken about renewable energy and, in particular, biofuels. "Farming has come a long way with its public image and we have moved away from the negative image of farmers as 'environmental vandals.' I think it is now exactly the opposite position with farmers and land managers being central to the challenges of climate change, energy and food security, but with a strong caveat that we must do it in a sustainable way. For the first time in half a century, farming can be seen as providing solutions, not problems," he said.

Kendall said the whole concept of biofuels received an extraordinary amount of complaint from opposers who seemed to be united only in their disdain for conventional agriculture.

"Yes, I agree that biofuels will put up the price of cereals and oilseeds which, in turn, will have an impact on food prices, but agricultural raw materials account for a tiny proportion of the cost of most food. What I cannot tolerate is the hypocrisy of some food manufacturers who are now bleating about food inflation when for a long time they have watched farmers' margins being squeezed."

Kendall went on to refute claims that biofuels will impoverish the developing world. "The truth is that world cereal prices will go up and this will stimulate increased production in regions like southern Africa that have suffered from poor returns. This will then be a motor for further development," he said.

Farmers' Guardian