Brazil Retaliates Against Biofuel Critics

Brazil has long touted its ethanol program as meriting global recognition but has become alarmed at recent attacks from critics abroad blaming the biofuel for famine, slavery and deforestation of the Amazon.

Brazil's plan to be the world's main supplier of the alternative automobile fuel may be facing its biggest diplomatic challenge, as rising food prices around the world are inciting riots and even toppling governments.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has come out in defense of the ethanol industry, calling critics "veiled protectionists." The Foreign Ministry also created a new post to launch diplomatic efforts against trade challenges to Brazilian biofuels.

"The broader the debate, the better for Brazil," said Andre Aranha Correa do Lago, head of the ministry's energy department, adding that the government plans to hold an international conference on biofuels in November.

One of Brazil's preeminent scientific scholars on the environment, Jose Goldemberg, said that the "current attack on biofuels is ... based on four myths."

He said it was not true that Brazilian ethanol: contributes to deforestation, causes famine, does not reduce greenhouse gas emission and is only suitable for niche markets.

View the Reuters story by clicking here.

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