Re: Why is the supply of E85 fuel so tightly controlled?

Kwyjibo wrote:
>"John_H" <john4721@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
>news:l807245nk3it76628en8o86v1l7mmo1dqj@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> Kwyjibo wrote:
>>>"John_H" <john4721@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>>>news:7gd424tiept9tp85s8eaks5pf92fv0j41c@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>>>
>>>> No land is ever likely to be set aside from human food production for
>>>> ethanol, either here or anywhere else.
>>>
>>>That depends.
>>>If the amount western countries are willing to pay for energy exceeds
what
>>>'locals' will pay for food, what do you reckon the average farmer in a 
>>>thrid
>>>world country will want to grow?
>>
>> Unless they happen to im****t stockfeed for human consumption
>
>Why would you think they would consider doing that? We've already seen 
>numerous examples in the past where African governments will allow their 
>people to starve to death if there's money or power involved.
>
>> it's simply not an issue.
>
>And it quite easily could become an issue, given the correct combination
of 
>greed and corruption - both of which abound in Africa.

They'd also require the correct combination of stupidity when food is
worth more (and always will be)!

Besides which, do you have any idea of the infrastructure required to
produce, process and distribute the commodities used in ethanol
production?...  Take a tour through rural Australia sometime if you
don't!  It's also the same infrastructure that sustains the food
chain.

You won't find it in any third world country (and they wouldn't be
third world countries if you did).  Of course they could probably
utilise donkeys and camels, but they'd also need to be fed.

Then there's the problem of defending it all against the starving
m***** (which is what those large stone fortifications were mainly
used for in medieval times).

Food has always been the first priority of any organised society, and
always will be.  The only ones to go without are those who can't
produce it, or can't afford to buy it.

-- 
John H