Earth Equity News

Biofuels Push Britain Toward Wheat Imports. By Pete Browne, NYTimes, October 16, 2009. "The growth of the biofuels industry in Britain may have the potential to turn the country into a net importer of wheat for the first time in its history, according to the British National Farmers' Union. The farm lobby estimates that 13.9 million tonnes of wheat (about 14.9 million United States tons) will be produced in 2009 -- 3.4 million tonnes lower than 2008, because of decreased yields and lower plantings. Meanwhile, two new biofuel projects are set to consume 2.3 million tonnes of British wheat next year. If these trends continue, the lobby noted last week, it could bring to an end to Britain's self sufficiency in wheat."