Farming experts call time on biofuels

International agriculture experts are calling for an end to biofuel production because of soaring corn and wheat prices that have led to famines and food crises in many parts of the world.

Researchers from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) have said that if crops grown for biofuels are redirected back into the food market, corn prices could fall by up to 20% and wheat prices by up to 10% before 2010.

In the US - which is increasingly looking towards biofuels to meet its long-term fuel security needs - around 25% of corn crops go toward biofuel production.

This year, US food prices are expected to rise by an average of 5%.

The IFPRI argues that crops other than staples, such as sugarcane, should be used instead of wheat and corn to produce biofuels.

Their suggestions will be welcomed by meat and dairy farmers, who have been lobbying the government to take action against the high cost of animal feed.