US ethanol policy debated as corn hits all-time high

摘要

London—Calls for an overhaul of US renewable fuels policy continued to emerge July 19 as corn prices hit an all-time high and concerns over further downgrades to crop yield forecasts raised fears of a hike in food prices and inflation. A study published by agricultural consultancy FarmEcon on July 19 slammed US ethanol blending requirements and said the 2007 Renewable Fuel Standard, or RFS, had destabilized corn prices by offering “demandfree” volumes for the ethanol industry.