Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visit this week in Mexico, Central America and Caribbean to discuss the development of biofuels.
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)- The anti-poverty agency, ActionAid, today (8 August) urges caution from Central American leaders as they discuss potentially increasing biofuel production.
“While biofuels could provide a viable alternative energy source, leaders must take a look at the overall impact increased production could have on farming communities and the poor. In rushing to judgement, leaders may unwittingly put their citizens at risk,” said Karen Hansen-Kuhn, food rights director at ActionAid USA.
A recent study conducted by ActionAid partners in Guatemala found, for example, that malnourishment, which already affects 40% its population, is significantly on the rise. Spikes in corn prices triggered by increased biofuel demands could provoke a food crisis similar to that which affected Mexico following similar circumstances.
“Central American corn prices have risen dramatically this year, provoked in part by an exploding demand for ethanol by the United States. This potentially puts at risk the lives of millions for whom corn is a daily diet staple,” said Adriano Campolina, ActionAid Americas director.
“Nations are racing ahead the rules they need to prevent increased poverty. Any high level discussions on the future of biofuels must take into account issues such as the impact on hunger, and the potential concentration of production and income into the hands of large agribusiness,” added Campolina.
“The issues around food versus fuel is complicated, and it could be a mistake to charge ahead with any decisions before environmental, economic and social impacts are fully assessed,” said Hansen-Kuhn.
“ActionAid is engaging with partners worldwide to assess just how increased biofuel production will impact small farmers and poor communities. It’s crucial that the voices of the poor are heard before their leaders rush to potentially harmful policy decisions,” added Hansen-Kuhn.
ENDS
Note to Editors:
Contacts:
Alexandre Polack, ActionAid Americas Office, Rio de Janeiro,
+55 21 91 90 85 59 or +55 21 21 89 46 00 alexandre.polack@actionaid.org
Sandy Krawitz, ActionAid USA +1-202-492-7207 sandy.krawitz@actionaid.org
ActionAid is an international anti-poverty agency working in over 40 countries, taking sides with poor people to end poverty and injustice together. Actionaid launched this year the HungerFREE campaign, a global campaign to force governments to deliver on their commitment to halve world hunger by 2015. www.actionaid.org
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