A group of leading environmental NGOs have condemned proposals announced in Brussels on Tuesday 26 March by the Irish EU Presidency on the proposed biofuels directive.
Oxfam Ireland, An Taisce, Trócaire and Brussels-based Transport & Environment said Ireland is failing to take account of the negative impacts of biofuels on food security and the climate.
“The scientific analysis produced by the EU itself is unequivocal: biofuels are causing volatility and increases in food prices with devastating consequences for poor consumers in the developing world,” said David Healy of Oxfam Ireland.
“The commission's proposal is inadequate and it is shocking that the Irish Government is tabling proposals which would weaken it further.”
The NGOs strongly oppose any plans to encourage the use of biofuels. “Many biofuels are worse for the climate than fossil fuels,” said James Nix of An Taisce. “Development and environment NGOs are in agreement that there should be no target which would encourage the use of biofuels.”
Michael O'Brien of Trócaire added: “It beggars belief that the Department of Energy is ignoring the impact of EU's biofuels policies on food and nutrition only weeks before the Government is to convene a high-level event on hunger, nutrition and climate justice."
Further information about the proposals tabled by the Irish Presidency is available at tinyurl.com/cq599qw.
