World Ethanol Leaders Call for Review of UN Report

In a letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the leaders of the world’s largest ethanol trade associations expressed their concerns over the “apocalyptic� public statements as well as the interim report issued by United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Jean Ziegler.

The apocalyptic statements made by the Special Rapporteur, calling biofuels production a “crime against humanity� and a “recipe for disaster,� are not only unjustified but also unacceptable to those of us who contribute to this emerging industry and millions of people around the world who benefit from renewable biofuels everyday.

The letter, signed by the heads of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the European Bioethanol Fuel Association (EBIO), the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA), and the Brazilian Sugar Cane Industry Association (UNICA), detailed some specific concerns the world ethanol industry has about the assumptions and conclusions made by Mr. Ziegler. Specifically, the groups pointed to the economic and environmental benefits ethanol provides that Mr. Ziegler has marginalized or ignored completely. Moreover, the letter also details some of the more immediate factors limiting the availability of food in some regions of the world.

Mr. Secretary General, we urge the United Nations to review the Interim Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food with a focus on sound science, credible studies, and a comprehensive view of the biofuels sector
rather than unsupported assumptions and selected anecdotes. We stand ready to participate in this revision process. Specifically, each signatory to this letter plans to submit additional comments and recommendations to the Special Rapporteur to address specific inaccuracies and concerns regarding its policy recommendations.

Read the whole letter here.