Australia urged to produce biofuels from non-food crops

Biofuels from non-food crops should be used to enhance Australia’s energy security, not those that come at the expense of food production, says a report by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. Research found that first generation biofuels or those that come from basic food stocks such as sugar and wheat were unlikely to develop into a substantial industry in Australia without government mandates or subsidies. This was because of competition for scarce resources, including water and agricultural land for food production. The report is more optimistic about second and third generation biofuels which are derived from non-food crops and algae. (November 18, 2008)