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Leading experts in the field of science, food production and retail met recently at a food shortage crisis meeting organised by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
According to the 10 Downing Street website, the meeting "addressed the short and longer-term factors causing increased food prices at home and abroad, and possible policy solutions".
PM Gordon Brown said: "We need to look closely at the impact of biofuels on food prices and the environment."
However, biofuels still have strong political support in many countries. Angela Merkel, Germany's chancellor, said recently: "Those rising global food prices have nothing to do biofuels."
Environmental and social groups have intensified their campaigns against biofuels as food prices have risen, arguing that they are diverting production away from food and animal feed. Until now the government's policy has been to support the increased use of biofuels.
Rioting The doubling in price of rice and wheat has sparked riots in Egypt and Haiti, and led to a World Bank warning that 100 million people could be pushed deeper into poverty. And it emerged yesterday that price surges have seen grocery bills in the UK rise by around £15 a week in a year.
Since 15 April, 2.5% of the petrol and diesel sold at the pumps in Britain has been bioethanol or biodiesel. Under European Union targets, this is due to increase to 5% by 2010, and 10% by 2020.
The UK's 5% target is only half that on the Continent – and now Mr Brown has bowed to new scientific fears that biofuels may be doing more harm than good.
Attendees of the meeting at Downing Street included representatives of Oxfam, Sainsbury's, Oxford University and Cargill. A full list of attendees is available <1>.