Mariann Fischer Boel, the European Commissioner responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development, took the media to task this week for using biofuels as a scapegoat for the food price crisis.  Speaking at the Policy dialogue on biofuels organised by European Policy Centre, Fischer Boel said;  "Right now, a storm is blowing. Of course, Europe has seen many storms over the last year or two – whether because of climate change or more familiar factors. But over this period, I have seen no storm as ferocious as the recent media storm about biofuels.

"Food prices are suddenly rising. In fact cereal prices have halved in real terms since 1975, but right now they are climbing, and people are worried. They are looking for explanations. They are right to do so. But unfortunately, a search for explanations can quickly become a hunt for a scapegoat. Biofuels seem to have become that scapegoat. The storm of media comment about them has become louder and louder, to the point where it's now difficult to hear real debate above the shriek of the wind."

First Fischer Boel addressed the wider question of the EU's biofuel policy: "Let's be clear that this policy is not an "agricultural policy". It didn't grow in a cupboard in my office and then jump out, fully formed, into the light of day. It was put together in response to requests from a wide range of groups. European heads of state and government asked the Commission for proposals and explicitly mentioned a biofuels usage target of 10 per cent in transport. In response, the whole Commission drafted proposals and adopted them."

She continued; "So when I speak about biofuels, I do so on behalf of the Commission College, explaining Commission policy. Let's also be clear that biofuels form part of a much wider policy on energy and climate change. Renewable energy does not boil down to biofuels. There is so much that we can do in terms of generating electricity, heating and cooling from various sources, including a wide range of biomass. Biofuels are just one piece of the jigsaw. Nevertheless, they are an important piece. They are a necessary piece."

She went on to flesh out the basic reasons driving EU policy on biofuels including environmental and fuel security. Stressing that it was crucial for the member states to move together. "Only if we move together – with clear objectives - can we get industry to adapt to a world with biofuels, give confidence to investors, build a well-functioning internal market, bring down production costs and make second-generation fuels economically viable", said Fischer Boel.

In closing she was clear on the soundness of EU biofuels policy. "As I have said before, developing our biofuels policy is neither a stroke of genius nor an act of madness. Biofuels won't solve all our problems, but nor will they swallow the world's food supply. Used correctly, they can be a weapon in the fight against climate change and an insurance policy against fuel supply problems – working in balance with our food needs. We will not use them correctly if we make them a scapegoat. The problem with a scapegoat is that it's only a symbolic solution. You send the goat into the wilderness, but the real problems remain", she concluded.

Read Mariann Fischer Boel's full speech here

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