US Corn crisis update: will Environmental Protection Agency suspend ethanol mandate?

Protest against biofuels used in transport. Photo courtesy of Indymedia UK

The US drought is having serious impacts on the global food supply which will impact the world’s poorest. Yet 40% the US’ maize crop will be fed to cars, not people, to hit the US’ bioethanol target. On Monday, the USA Environmental Protection Agency announced it will consider suspending the U.S. ethanol mandate, which requires refiners to blend ethanol into gasoline. It is seeking public feedback.

Reports suggest the primary motivations are coming from the US dairy and cattle lobby rather than from a concern to help fight world hunger – but nevertheless it is hoped that the EPA will suspend the ethanol mandate.

You can read a report from Planet Ark here.