| Newly released document heaps further doubt on credibility of EU biofuels |
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21 April 2010 | Press release A freedom of information request from Reuters has today prompted the release of a document highlighting the folly of allowing some biofuels to be grown in Europe.(1) ClientEarth comment Last month, ClientEarth filed a lawsuit against the Commission to release a number of documents that are expected to cast yet more doubt on the wisdom and ecological effectiveness of biofuels production as currently planned. It is of crucial importance that more work is done to ensure any biofuels production reaps genuine environmental benefits. But a number of other documents must also be released before credible policy can be formulated. Tim Grabiel, lead attorney for the ClientEarth v. Commission case, says: “A transparent debate on the environmental impact of the European biofuels project is desperately needed. But it can’t happen while the Commission continues to withhold critical documents. ClientEarth and its partners have brought a case to the European Courts to gain access to these documents, which will further expose the harmful results of large-scale biofuels production. If the Commission allows ill-conceived policy to overrule scientific evidence on biofuels risks, it will have seriously lost its way. It is unfortunate that we must pursue the release of these documents through the courts. “The recent flurry of technical studies coming out on biofuels and its impacts on forests and other natural areas compel but one conclusion – the time to hide our head in the sand and hope the problem goes away is over. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. Other damaging studies are still being withheld by the Commission and must be released. The problems associated with biofuels are not unsolvable, but will require re-examining our 10% target and amending existing legislation to include protections against indirect land use change. To do this as it should have been done in the beginning, we need the Commission to put all the information on the table.” ENDS Notes to editors 1. Reuters story here: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63K2CB20100421 For further information, please contact Tim Grabiel on +33.6.32.76.77.04. |
