On Friday, August 10, 2012 1:56:16 PM UTC-5, RichA wrote:
> It is of no value. It has raised corn prices (and all the myriad
>
> foods associated with it) by 100% over 1.5 years. It scours engine
>
> components of their protective oil layer. It dries out seals. It
>
> should be abolished.
>
> P.S. Enviroqueers; Lead by example, STOP DRIVING.

If it weren't for the "enviroqueers" you'd be living in a world of toxic water and air. If you don't know what that would be like I suggest you go live in a third world country that doesn't adhere to any environmental policies. I have, and let me tell you it isn't pretty -- air so freakin' thick with pollution you can't see anymore than 30 feet in front of you, and the associated breathing problems. It sucks. I got back to the States and I kissed my catalytic convertors and said thank you environmentalists!



> BBC;
>
>
>
> 10 August 2012 Last updated at 09:26 ET
>
> US biofuel production should be suspended, UN says
>
>
>
> The United Nations (UN) food agency has called on the United States to
>
> suspend its production of biofuel ethanol.
>
>
>
> Under US law, 40% of the corn harvest must be used to make biofuel, a
>
> quota which the UN says could contribute to a food crisis around the
>
> world.
>
>
>
> A drought and heatwave across the US has destroyed much of the
>
> country's corn crop, driving up prices.
>
>
>
> The US argues that producing much of its own fuel, rather than
>
> importing it, is good for the country.
>
>
>
> The latest forecasts from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
>
> suggest that this year's corn yield - the amount produced per acre -
>
> will be the lowest since 1995-6.
>
>
>
> Total production will be the lowest for six years, it forecast, due to
>
> the extreme heat and dryness.
>
>
>
> As a result, the USDA is predicting further rises in prices. It now
>
> thinks farm prices for corn will average $7.50-$8.90 per bushel, a
>
> sharp rise on the $5.40-$6.40 per bushel it predicted just a month
>
> ago.
>
>
>
> Writing in the Financial Times, the director general of the United
>
> Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Jose Graziano da
>
> Silva, said suspension of the quota would allow more of the crop to be
>
> diverted for food production.
>
>
>
> "The worst drought for 50 years is inflicting huge damage on the US
>
> maize crop, with serious consequences for the overall international
>
> food supply.
>
>
>
> "The situation reminds us that even the most advanced agricultural
>
> systems are subject to the vagaries of the weather, leading to
>
> volatility in supplies and prices, not just on domestic markets, but
>
> also internationally."
>
> Cheaper fuel
>
>
>
> Concerns about the impact of the dry weather in the US pushed maize
>
> prices up by 23% in July, according to the latest FAO food price
>
> index.
>
>
>
> But the US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the biofuels
>
> standard was having a positive impact on the country.
>
>
>
> "It is impacting in a positive way the cost of gasoline in this
>
> country - some estimates put it at 25 cents to as much as $1.30 less
>
> for gas because we have a biofuel industry.
>
>
>
> "There are jobs connected to that industry and less reliance on
>
> foreign oil. The question is: Is the market responding to concerns
>
> about supply and the answer is yes.
>
>
>
> "Exports are down just a bit and ethanol production is down from
>
> between 10% and 30%, depending on the part of the country."
>
>
>
> By law, 13 billion gallons of biofuel must be produced in the US this
>
> year. The country's Renewable Fuel Standard, as the law is known, was
>
> designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on imported
>
> oil. It has long been controversial, with many blaming the quota for
>
> pushing up corn prices.
>
>
>
> The United Nations is not alone in calling for the quota to be
>
> suspended. Livestock producers in the US, worried about the cost of
>
> cattle feed, also want it scrapped and the governments of China, India
>
> and France have expressed concerns about the policy.