UN adviser calls for halt on biofuels investment
New United Nations special adviser on food Olivier de Schutter has called for an immediate freeze on investment in biofuels – crops which can be converted into energy, instead of food.
Mr de Schutter says the pursuit of biofuels is contributing to a global food crisis threatening 100 million of the world’s poorest people.
He has described it as a massive violation of basic rights and called for a special session of the UN Human Rights Council to tackle rising food prices and global shortages.
“I believe that any new investment in first-generation agri-fuels should be [frozen] immediately and that we should discuss in an open and transparent manner whether the current levels of production of bio-diesel, bio-ethanol – which are not so bio – should continue,” he said.
