Gallagher biofuels review - Greenpeace responds

Ruth Kelly today announced the publication of the Gallagher review into the indirect effects of biofuels. Although the Government accepted the findings of the report, it refused to call publicly for an end to the EU's overall target which would see 10% of European energy produced by biofuels by 2020. This was one of the key recommendations of the Gallagher review.

Reacting to the release of the review Greenpeace chief scientist Dr. Doug Parr said:

"This review sends a stark message - using food crops to fuel our cars risks making climate change worse and increasing food prices for the world's poorest people.

"Gordon Brown must now follow one of the key recommendations of his own report and call for an end to the EU's hastily adopted and potentially damaging biofuel targets.

"He needs to promote the real alternatives instead, like making our cars more fuel efficient and boosting the number of vehicles powered by clean, renewable electricity.

"This is the kind of leadership we need from a Prime Minister who claims to be serious about fighting climate change and serious about tackling global poverty."

For a full briefing on the indirect impacts of biofuels please visit www.greenpeace.org.uk/gallagherbriefing

For further information please contact the Greenpeace Press Office on 0207 865 8255