Biofuel use 'could threaten the poor'

Biofuels - fuels derived from renewable and natural materials such as vegetable oils, animal fats and sugar - are not common forms of energy used worldwide.

But they are gaining increasing attention across the world as oil prices rise and the need for cheaper and more climate-friendly energy alternatives grows.

Now European delegates are meeting in the Netherlands for a convention aimed at finding the most efficient ways to produce biofuels.

The meeting comes as many European farmers lobby for more government investment into the fuels.

But what benefits the farmers, could threaten the livelihood of many needy people in developing nations throughout Africa and Asia.

Al Jazeera's Charlie Angela reports from the UK.

[March 15, 2010]

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