Farmers Urge Obama Admin To Suspend Ethanol Quota Amid Drought

"EPA's requirements for corn ethanol will drive food prices even higher after an already distressed harvest, growers warn."



"The Obama administration was urged on Monday to stop diverting grain to gas amid warnings of an 'imminent food crisis' caused by America's drought.

US government forecasts of a 4% rise in food prices for US consumers because of the drought have sharpened criticism of supports for producing fuel from corn-based ethanol.

Meanwhile, research published last week by the New England Complex Systems Institute warned of an 'imminent food crisis' because of the diversion of corn stocks to ethanol."

Suzanne Goldenberg reports for the Guardian July 30, 2012.   

SEE ALSO:

"Livestock Groups Seek Drought Relief With Ethanol Waiver" (Reuters)

"Drought Spurs Ethanol Push-Back; World Bank Watchful" (Reuters)

"How The Drought Is Changing Business" (USA TODAY)

"Researcher: Major Drought Means Smaller ‘Dead Zone’ of Oxygen-Depleted Water in Gulf of Mexico" (AP)

"Small Farmers Struggle as Drought Kills Vegetables" (AP)

"Drought Strains U.S. Oil Production" (CNN)

"Drought Raising Water Costs, Scarcity Concerns for Shale Plays" (Oil & Gas Journal)

Opinion: "How The Midwest Drought Could Help Curb Obesity" (Los Angeles Times)

"Kansas Wetlands Conditions the Worst in Two Decades" (Wichita Eagle)
 

Source: Guardian, 07/31/2012