The Future of Agro-Energy in the European Union Considering the Relationship betweer Food Emergency and Energy Emergency

摘要

Today the European Union has taken on both the challenge of energy security and that of food security. In the last decade the European legislature has specifically focused its attention on ensuring energy security in the European Union, probably thinking that the problem of European food security had already been solved. Having a secure supply of energy is crucial for the well-being of European citizens and the economy. Increasing energy production in the EU includes further deployment of renewable energies. In this context the appeal of Agro-Energy has increased: Agro-Energy is an alternative energy source which guarantees maximum energy security while at the same time having a less disruptive environmental impact. Policies aimed at providing incentives for Agro-Energy crops combined with the lack of foresight of the European legislature in defining the contents of the medium-term CAP reform have implied a considerable shrinking of other crops directly or indirectly used as food. Growing crops forbioenergy or biofuels is increasingly viewed as conflicting with food production. Balancing the needs of eco-compatible energetic production of agricultural origin with the need to safeguard the basic rights of food is indispensable. The new CAP tries to take that into account. Even if today the primary sector is also expected to diversify energy supply sources, it is necessary, however, to ensure that the increased attention given to Agro-Energy issues does not imply a decrease in attention to what is known as food security.