How Much To Operate On Dog Uterus

Few believe in biofuels carbon

Coal Use Rises Dramatically Despite Impacts on Climate and Health

In 2006, coal accounted for 25 percent of world primary energy supply.1 (See Figure 1.) Due to its high carbon content, coal was responsible for approximately 40 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuels, despite supplying only 32 percent of fossil fuel energy.2 Management of this plentiful but heavily polluting energy resource has tremendous implications for human welfare, the health of ecosystems, and the stability of the global climate.

World coal consumption reached a record 3,090 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 2006, an increase of 4.5 percent over 2005.3 (See Figure 2.) China led world coal use with 39 percent of the total. The United States followed with 18 percent. The European Union and India accounted for 10 percent and 8 percent, respectively.4 (See Figure 3.)

In terms of growth, China is even more dominant. The increase in China's coal consumption accounted for more than 70 percent of global growth in 2006 and more than 60 percent of the increase in world coal use over the past decade. India, responsible for just over 10 percent of the growth in the last 10 years, ranks a distant second.5

According to preliminary data, five new coalfired generators with a combined capacity of 600 megawatts came online in the United States in 2006, while India added 930 megawatts of capacity.6 In startling contrast, China brought online about as much coal power capacity each week as the United States and India together did over the entire year, adding an unprecedented 90 gigawatts in 2006.7 Several studies have highlighted the uncertainty of China's energy statistics, however.8 For example, some of the capacity reportedly added is likely to have been unauthorized projects completed earlier that were retroactively approved in 2006.9 Nonetheless, the magnitude and trend of China's capacity additions and associated appetite for energy from coal are certain.

Worldwide, the extraction and combustion of coal have severe health and environmental impacts. In the United States, 47 workers were killed in coal mine accidents in 2006, while China's State Work Safety Supervision Administration reported a staggering 4,746 deaths.10 And the pollution emitted by coal-burning power plants and factories affects the health of millions of people. A recent World Bank study identified coal combustion as China's largest source of outdoor air pollution, to which it attributed 350,000–400,000 premature deaths a year.11 Though these numbers were censored by Chinese authorities, at other times officials have acknowledged that coal power plants often do not comply with environmental regulations.12

Even in the United States, which is far ahead of China in terms of pollution control, the struggle to control hazardous emissions from coal power plants continues. In October, American Electric Power agreed to a record environmental enforcement settlement that requires the company to reduce annual sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by over 800,000 tons. The resulting improvement to air quality is expected to produce health benefits worth $32 billion per year.13

The longevity of coal-fired power plants and the abundance of coal suggest that decisions on new capacity made today will have enduring consequences. The average age of currently operating U.S. plants is 47 years, indicating that plants built today are likely to remain in operation for many decades.14 Coal's abundance is apparent in reserve-to-production ratios, which based on current extraction rates exceed 200 years in the United States and India.15 The figure in China is roughly 50–70 years, with an estimated total coal resource that allows room for plenty of reserve growth.16

Recent forecasts of world coal consumption in 2050 range from 2,900 Mtoe in a scenario published by the International Energy Agency (IEA), which assumes adoption of a stringent, worldwide carbon policy, to 10,700 Mtoe in a business-as-usual scenario published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).17 Meeting any climate stabilization target will require control of coal emissions.18 Nicholas Stern, who led an influential study on the economics of climate change, says that "unless we get coal under control, we're not going to be able to solve this problem."19 After reaching this same conclusion, numerous studies identify carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) as a way to reconcile coals importance as an energy resource with its role as a major contributor of CO2 emissions.20

Carbon capture and sequestration from a coal-fired power plant involves four key steps: isolate a relatively pure stream of CO2 from the combustion source, pressurize the captured gas and transport to the storage site, inject the CO2 into the storage reservoir, and monitor the storage reservoir for stability and leakage.21 Each of these steps is already used in some commercial applications, mostly in oil and natural gas production and processing operations.

One project stands out for having successfully integrated all four steps, albeit not on a power plant. The Great Plains Synfuels plant in North Dakota produces synthetic natural gas from lignite coal. Since 2000, the facility also captures CO2 from the "synthesis gas," an intermediate product, compresses that CO2, and transports it 300 kilometers by pipeline to the Weyburn oil field. There the flow of CO2, currently about 8,000 tons per day, is injected into the oil field to enhance oil production. A measurement study headed by the IEA concluded that the CO2 injected at Weyburn will be sequestered there for thousands of years.22

The overall climate benefit of this particular project is marred by the fact that the extra oil production it enables, an estimated 130 million barrels, will itself release over 50 million tons of carbon dioxide when burned.23 Future CCS aquifers rather than active oil fields in order to provide the scale of benefit required. The technology needed is not significantly different, but the project economics are currently much more challenging.

With the technical feasibility of CCS largely proved by Great Plains Synfuels and other demonstration projects, cost is the largest single factor preventing the deployment of this technology. Initial interest focused on applying CCS to advanced power plants known as an integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) plants in anticipation of a lower overall project cost. An IGCC plant converts solid coal into a synthetic gas, from which CO2 can be more easily extracted, and then uses that gas to produce electricity with relatively high efficiency. It is estimated that electricity produced by an IGCC power plant equipped with carbon capture will cost 35 percent more than electricity from a conventional plant. Adding CCS to a conventional power plant could increase the cost of electricity by upwards of 60 percent.24 Transport, injection, and monitoring of the CO2 will push these price premiums even higher. Thus without a sizable cost applied to carbon emissions, CCS is prohibitively expensive.

At present, cost estimates for coal-fired power plants equipped with CCS include a high degree of uncertainty, however. If and when the various CCS processes are commercialized, the technology that offers the lowest cost option will almost certainly vary from one project to the next, depending on many factors, including the quality of coal and whether the plant is new construction or a retrofit.25

Numerous research and development projects are working to reduce costs, and demonstration projects have been proposed in Europe, North America, Australia, and China.26 The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that large-scale units may be completed around 2020, but an MIT study published this year finds current programs to commercialize carbon sequestration to be "completely inadequate," highlighting the need for further demonstration "at-scale" and advanced measurement, monitoring, and verification of storage.27 Pilot operations scheduled to come online in 2007/08 may validate certain capture technologies, but the most aggressive proposals for at-scale applications of integrated CCS to coal-fired power plants target 2011/12.28 In the meantime, each new coal plant will be a major source of additional CO2 emissions.

Growing acknowledgement of the climate, health, and environmental consequences of coal use have led to mounting political opposition to new coal plants in the United States and Europe. A European Union commitment to reduce CO2 emissions at least 20 percent by 2020 presents a formidable obstacle to any new coal power there that does not incorporate CCS.29 Though a similar U.S. commitment has not been made, Senate majority leader Harry Reid recently took a stand against new coal power plants, and the state of California effectively banned state utilities from building new plants without CCS.30 In mid-2007, the uncertain outlook for coal power resulting from burgeoning anti-coal activism was cited by Citigroup analysts in their decision to downgrade the stocks of all coal companies.31

On a global scale, the declining fortune of coal in industrial countries is overshadowed by its dominance in the energy mix of large developing economies. In China and India, coal maintains a preeminent role in plans to meet sustained, rapid growth of energy demand.32 A true reconciliation of the coal resource and the climate risk that it presents must soon confront coal power on its new home turf.

Are You Most Fertile After A Chemical Pregnancy

Use clean up dramatically

Window to Prevent Catastrophic Climate Change Closing; EU Should Press for Immediate U.S. Action


Worldwatch Institute

September 13, 2007 – 1:00pm

The warming climate is undermining biodiversity by accelerating habitat loss, according to Vital Signs 2007–2008.
Photo by metrognome0 via FlickrWashington, D.C.—Consumption of energy and many other critical resources is consistently breaking records, disrupting the climate and undermining life on the planet, according to the latest Worldwatch Institute report, Vital Signs 2007-2008.
The 44 trends tracked in Vital Signs illustrate the urgent need to check consumption of energy and other resources that are contributing to the climate crisis, starting with the largest polluter, the United States, which accounted for over 21 percent of global carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning in 2005. Europe, already feeling the effects of climate change, should pressure the U.S. to join international climate negotiations, according to Erik Assadourian, Vital Signs Project Director.
“The world is running out of time to head off catastrophic climate change, and it is essential that Europe and the rest of the international community bring pressure to bear on U.S. policy makers to address the climate crisis,” said Assadourian, who spoke at the Barcelona launch of Vital Signs. “The United States must be held accountable for its emissions, double the per capita level in Europe, and should follow the EU lead by committing to reducing its total greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050.”

This summer, the European Union has become a showcase for how the world will be transformed by climate change, including tragic fires in Greece and the Canary Islands, dramatic floods in England, and heat waves across the Continent. Assadourian urged European leaders to push the U.S. to engage more constructively with the international community on climate change, starting at the United Nations late this month and in the Bali Climate negotiations at the end of the year.

With a global population of 6.6 billion and growing, the ecosystem services upon which life depends are being stretched to the limit due to record levels of consumption:

In 2006, the world used 3.9 billion tons of oil. Fossil fuel usage in 2005 produced 7.6 billion tons of carbon emissions, and atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide reached 380 parts per million.
More wood was removed from forests in 2005 than ever before.
Steel production grew 10 percent to a record 1.24 billion tons in 2006, while primary aluminum output increased to a record 33 million tons. Aluminum production accounted for roughly 3 percent of global electricity use.
Meat production hit a record 276 million tons (43 kg per person) in 2006.
Meat consumption is one of several factors driving soybean demand. Rapid South American expansion of soybean plantations could displace 22 million hectares of tropical forest and savanna in the next 20 years.
The rise in global seafood consumption comes even as many fish species become scarcer: in 2004, 156 million tons of seafood was eaten, an average of three times as much seafood per person than in 1950.
The expanding world population’s appetite for everything from everyday items such as eggs to major consumer goods such as automobiles is helping to drive climate change, which is endangering organisms on the land and in the sea:

The warming climate is undermining biodiversity by accelerating habitat loss, altering the timing of animal migrations and plant flowerings, and shifting some species towards the poles and to higher altitudes.
The oceans have absorbed about half of the carbon dioxide emitted by humans in the last 200 years. Climate change is altering fish migration routes, pushing up sea levels, intensifying coastal erosion, raising ocean acidity, and interfering with currents that move vital nutrients upward from the deep sea.
Despite a relatively calm hurricane season in the U.S. in 2006, the world experienced more weather-related disasters than in any of the previous three years. Nearly 100 million people were affected.
The world is running out of time to head off catastrophic climate change, and it is essential that Europe and the rest of the international community bring pressure to bear on U.S. policy makers to address the climate crisis. While U.S. carbon emissions continue to grow, the fastest growth is occurring in Asia, particularly China and India. But without a U.S. commitment to emissions constraints, persuading China and India to commit to reductions is unlikely. “The only hope for reducing the world’s carbon emissions is for the U.S. to begin reducing its emissions and cooperating with other nations immediately. The EU may be the only entity that can make that happen,” said Assadourian.

“With the U.S. Congress preparing to take up far-ranging climate legislation this fall, and with President Bush planning to hold an international climate change summit in Washington, now is the time to act. If the U.S. and other nations walk away without concrete plans to implement a binding agreement, the EU should not hesitate to use its diplomatic clout to press the issue,” suggested Assadourian.

Already, the window to prevent catastrophic climate change appears to be closing. Some governments are starting to redirect their attention away from climate change mitigation and towards staking their claims in a warming world. “Canada is spending $3 billion to build eight new patrol boats to reinforce its claim over the Arctic waterways. Denmark and Russia are starting to vie for control over the Lomonosov Ridge, where new sources of oil and natural gas could be accessed if the Arctic Circle becomes ice free—fossil fuels that will further exacerbate climate change. These actions assume that a warming world is here,” said Assadourian.

http://www.worldwatch.org

Waxing St. Louis For Men

fallen Aldor

If that see I can not go few days, hehe. Just back from Dublin and I find that the server has fallen several days.

We finally able to contact Annatar, has apparently been a problem with a return receipt and the provider has cut to the chase.
am sure we will know something already, and change to the new server to start as soon as possible so I Aldor Aldor II. I leave a photo
near Dublin, that I could enjoy these days:

Accuracy Of Hiv Test At 13 Weeks

Toledo Mayor vetoes the Celebration Atheist of the First Council wins JJBenítez

politicians apparently still find it difficult to separate their personal beliefs (or their personal interests) of their public duties. I copy here the statement that has IFAD made on the refusal of the City of Toledo at the conclusion of this act atheists:


MAYOR OF TOLEDO GRAIN COUNCIL HOLDING THE ATHEIST I

"In the opinion of the reason, religion as a whole is strongly condemned. However, organized religious superstition still maintains close alliances with political and economic power, morality and culture. It enables and supports the superstition that irrationality influence exerted on our time. "

(From the Manifesto of the IFAD)

On 9 October took place in the Town Hall offices Toledo a meeting between representatives of IFAD and the Councillor for Culture, Angel Felpeto Enriquez, attended the 2 nd Deputy Mayor of the city and Councillor for Housing, Aurelio San Emeterio, the United Left coalition.

San Emeterio had negotiated the transfer of Multipurpose Community Center, public property, for the celebration, from 9 to 11 November 2007, the First Council Godless organized by our association. Three months earlier, Councilman IU had given us their commitment of support for Toledo will host the first cultural event of this nature atheistic, thus confirming the calling for tolerance and coexistence between cultures that this city boasts. At previous meetings, held at the offices of IU in late July and mid September from Aurelio San Emeterio and several members of IFAD, he had known the program, the name of the guests and planned activities. Of course, this was the issue of the impact of the council and the risks of its call, at which agreed to send a note to the Delegation of the Government requesting police protection for at least two participants, JAM Montoya and Leo Bassi, victims of attacks and threats from fundamentalists in more than one occasion.

Undoubtedly, San Emeterio knew the Mayor's Catholic affiliation Toledo socialist, Emiliano García-Page, and the distinct possibility that argued against the conclusion of the Council, so opt, he said, to bring the matter discreetly, so that when you become aware of Garcia This page may no longer react. It was clear that the atmosphere of the session and the correlation of political forces involved would lead to certain advantages to IU if it adopted this type of small challenging positions, and moreover knew that we had alienated the mayor, whose first public speech after the elections , was nothing less than to receive formally the relics of a saint.

hope, therefore, in negotiating virtues San Emeterio, and so we continued with the details of the organization and the strategy of propaganda. Weeks later, we noticed a growing detachment by the same reluctance to specify when a certain number of points and incipient stage fright. It is obvious that Mr. García-Page, with the "deepening" that characterized him, had been informed of the project and maintained a friendly monologue with Don Aurelio. In a telephone conversation, San Emeterio told us the situation, saying that "it looked pretty bad", since the mayor was not willing to allow in their city or the photo exhibition JAM Montoya nor the performance of the "clown" Leo Bassi. A few days later we confirmed this, saying that he did not previously known photographs of Sanctorvm, and that he thought "very strong and provocative."

The meeting with the Councillor of Culture came as Secretary of IFAD, Luis María González. Also present were other members of the association and San Emeterio himself. During the meeting, which lasted over two hours, García-Page's office repeatedly called Angel Felpeto, interest in the outcome of negotiations. Councilman proposed, as a prerequisite for the transfer of the premises (no free transfer, on the other hand), not the photographs were exhibited "blasphemous." Was defined as a practicing Catholic, and assured us that neither he nor the mayor would be willing to allow such "provocation." The "provocation", in short, simply outlined in a private, accessible only to attendees of the Council, a few pictures with erotic content. But you know, respect for religious beliefs seems to be an unbeatable Molok in this secular state, especially when their political representatives are inclined so devoutly to bishops and cardinals at every opportunity. But

was not only JAM Montoya. Literally, Angel Felpeto us that "in any of the ways we allow such a celebration, while the stock of your speakers is no different." After the meeting we received a phone call from San Emeterio, which told us that "there is nothing to do", because minutes earlier had been called to the office of García-Page, and was assured he would not tolerate any atheist Council ways. The fear of the reaction of Catholic voters, remember the pressure exerted by the bishop Cañizares during the days of the pre-season, when Toledo convened an "ordeal" of reparation, mattered more to the mayor that any argument based on our constitutional rights ...

FIDA has not accepted any such tax. That is not our style of politics. The agenda of the Council could not submit to such a low level conditions, and our dignity prevents us from continuing to negotiate with such partners. We have not accepted the blackmail of a few crooked politicians and strangers to the ideals that are supposed to represent parties, PSOE and IU. Some, to prevent the right of citizens to assemble without interference. Others, the neglect of permitting no other answer than a shrug.

tara Religion is a traditional, democratic culture that allows, to some extent, free. We embarked on a comprehensive process of political struggle, cultural and institutional, which aims to curb the influence of religious ideology in public. Because, even though some people still doubt it, secularism is a cornerstone of democracy, and can not accept any type of discrimination in a truly free society.

Since we are firmly convinced of the legality and integrity of our common project, we encourage you to distribute this statement to denounce the attitude of our public representatives and to contribute to the expansion of our ideas. Also to promote, from the deepest sense of solidarity, the First Council of Toledo Atheist, TO BE HELD, if you receive the necessary support, REGARDLESS OF CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES. We still can not secure the final place, and maybe we should give in to a change of dates. But do not give up the lens or the content provided.

be notified, in short, more detailed aspects of the new call. Entries formalized and remain valid, as well as those made from now. The First Council is not canceled, despite everything, although obviously it will move from location.

Thank FIDA received expressions of support.

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Charter filed today in the Exmo check. Toledo City Council At

. Mr.

Emiliano García-Page Sánchez, Mayor.

Felpeto Angel Enriquez, Councillor of Culture.

Aurelio Fernández San Emeterio, Councillor for Housing. 09/10/1907




Dear Sirs. ours:

regard to the request on 11/07/1909 in municipal check concerning the request to use the Multipurpose Community Center located at c / Rio Bullaque, 24, of Toledo (Polygon Benquerencia) , and after discussions with date today among members of our organization and the councilman of Culture, d. Felpeto Angel Enriquez, in the presence of other representatives of the consistory, in particular d. Aurelio Fernández San Emeterio, Second Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Housing, we state the following:

The program content of the First Council of Toledo Atheist can not be subject to negotiations and therefore, none of its elements can be removed under a fanciful interpretation of constitutional rights which respect for religious beliefs over artistic creation and freedom of conscience.

We can not accept, therefore, the condition is not exposed in Council local printmaking Jose Antonio Moreno Montoya included in the photographic series Sanctorvm as Vds. we proposed in that conversation, and in which
gave us to understand that the mayor, Don Emiliano García-Page Sánchez, no willing to allow such "provocation." Since this is an activity included in the agenda of a conference being organized by a private association, and given also the place where they will be exposed is not accessible to the public outside the act, not just to understand where is this "provocation."

therefore requested the permit for municipal officials use by the Association IFAD public space called "Multipurpose Community Centre", space that we were given verbal commitment, assuming that there will be no interference or any requirement from political office in charge of local management as the modification of the program of lectures, exhibitions and activities.

If you prefer to go ahead with the veto to any of the planned activities or the personalities involved, do please let us know as soon as possible, in order to find other alternatives.

Sincerely,

International Federation of Atheists (IFAD)



Board

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Page warns that Toledo will delve more into their religious traditions

06/24/2007, ABC (ES). Emiliano García-Page delivered yesterday his first official speech as mayor of Toledo in the Courtyard of the door hinge. And fate decreed that it was also, for the reception of the relics of San Ildefonso, before the Cardinal Cañizares and three former mayors of Toledo, Juan Ignacio de Mesa, Joaquín Sánchez and Agustín Garrido Conde, representatives of the Army Guard Civil and surrounded by sororities and fraternities in the city of Toledo. From the beginning, the new government team city \u200b\u200bhas turned to the preparation of this eminently religious act and offered to the Archbishop of Toledo all facilities for their implementation. García-Page wanted to throw more hours nod to the Church and in his speech noted that "the city of Toledo is not going to give up their religious traditions." On the contrary, said that "will deepen further in them."

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Toledo. Thousands of people in the via crucis of relief held in the diocese

24/03/2007, ABC (ES). Were thousands of people in different parishes of the diocese of Toledo participated in the ordeal yesterday summoned by the cardinal archbishop of Toledo, Antonio Cañizares, as a sacrifice of "Atonement" and "repair" by the "deteriorating situation" of Spain. In Toledo, with an attendance of over five hundred people, the ceremony was officiated by the Archbishop with the Auxiliary Bishop of Toledo, Angel Rubio, who urged the faithful not to display posters "because we are here to pray," said seeing one carried by an assistant with the slogan "I am not ashamed of being Christian." Several mayors of municipal government team were also among the attendees, as Deputy Mayor, Lamberto García Pineda, the Town Planning, Maria Paz Ruiz, the council Works and Services, Javier Alonso, the Participation Citizen, Fernando Sanz, and Culture, Fernando Surgeon. The archbishop called the Via Crucis taking place today in all parishes of the diocese as "compensation to a secularism that has no future and to other painful events." He referred in particular, among other "painful events", the recent movie about Santa Teresa and the publication in 2003 of a catalog of photos "blasphemous" sponsored by the Junta de Extremadura.

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horrific photographs that humiliate us

03/25/2007, ABC (ES). The Cardinal Archbishop of Toledo and primate of Spain, Antonio Cañizares, said yesterday that "photographs horrendous "JAM Montoya, which is displayed figures of Christianity in attitudes pornographic," abuse "of the Virgin, and added that" when this happens, degrades man, it breaks the coexistence and humiliate us. " Archbishop Cañizares was speaking amid a widespread applause at the opening Mass of the Jubilee Year Guadalupean, which gathered in the Plaza Mayor, with the Moorish Gothic monastery, a World Heritage Site, about 15,000 pilgrims. The celebration, as announced by the Bishop, vice president of the English Episcopal Conference, was specifically intended to "redress" to the Virgin.

Among those present were also the Board Chairman, Juan Carlos Rodríguez Ibarra, and the Minister of Culture, which subsidized the controversial photographer to pay the catalog containing the above pictures. Cañizares insisted that the photographs of Montoya attack "the most beloved, most precious to us" and, therefore, urged "the Extremadura and English 'to tell the Virgin that" we want all our soul, which is our mother "and" no one touch us. " Nevertheless, Archbishop Cañizares also wanted to make a gesture to President of the Board of Extremadura, to close off the altar and expressly him to give you peace. This was the second time during the Eucharist in which the faithful broke into applause. With the opening of the Jubilee Year begins a series of religious and cultural events until March 2008, with the government of Extremadura Extremadura Guadalupe wants to promote in the world. To this end, the Board has scheduled this year in its budget an item of EUR 1.5 million and has established a partnership with the Ministries of Economy and Finance and Culture, with the Franciscan Community of Guadalupe to carry out a comprehensive program of cultural performances.

How To Make A Billiard Triangle

The window closes to prevent the catastrophe

Washington D.C viernes, 31 de agosto de 2007
por Paulina Novo

La producción de biocombustibles líquidos esta llamando la atención tanto de inversionistas privados como de los países desarrollados y los países del Sur por diversas razones. Entre estas esta el mitigar los efectos of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, promise to stimulate rural development and their providing security and energy independence. Now, with these studies, the two effective ways, in terms of cost and efficiency in the production of biofuels as an article of buying and selling is ethanol made from sugarcane, followed by biodiesel made from vegetable oils. In the United States most biodiesel production are soybean and corn ethanol. The model example of the biofuels industry, or biofuels as they are commonly called, is Brazil, which produces a considerable percentage of their energy products through biofuels.

Production in Brazil is 4,000 million gallons of ethanol annually.

[1]
Thus, Brazil has proven to be the leader in the area, especially in the production of ethanol from sugarcane. The use of ethanol in Brazil in the area of \u200b\u200btransportation is extremely high. 80% of the demand for ethanol use in the world comes from Brazil and the United States. The percentage of biofuels to replace gasoline is 40% in Brazil and 3% in the U.S.. Europe also has a large-scale and mainly produces biodiesel from canola. The interest of several countries in Latin America has increased considerably in recent two years.


[2] However, according to research conducted by the Management Assistance Program of the World Bank Energy Sector (ESPAM for its acronym in English) the example of Brazil is constantly used as a key model. However, not based on reality and it's a model difficult to replicate by the climatic and technological advances, specific to their conditions, achieved in over 25 years experience with the ethanol program and very specific factors the region. Still, even indisputable breakthrough has been achieved, it would be irresponsible to ignore the obstacles that had to overcome. Thus, ethanol production should respond to more than one question about the cost effectiveness of independent, ie without the use of heavy subsidies and their actual contribution to emissions of greenhouse gases following the formula "from the source to the wheel ", ie from harvesting, including the use of pesticides to the time that takes the user. production of ethanol from sugarcane in Brazil
cane production requires intensive use of water. In the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, where more than half the arable land used for sugarcane production, enjoy competitive advantage of natural watered by rain. However, the cost-benefit analysis demonstrates the infeasibility of the initiative, if it requires artificial irrigation. Of the 500 varieties of cane, only used 20 types of sugarcane in ethanol production. This area has been a huge increase in the production of genetically modified sugar cane varieties that are resistant to many pests. The diversification of types of cane is key to the strategy for the control of different pests and diseases in the cultivation of sugarcane. The south central region of Brazil has the highest productivity and lowest cost of production while the northwest has very low productivity and high costs, this is because the soil is not good and need more human resources. Likewise, industry cane planting in general working conditions and salaries are deplorable. According to the Advocacy Center for Citizenship and Human Rights Marçal de Souza Tupã-i, in Brazil, working sugar mills has been described as degrading work "by the unhealthy conditions in which the natives perform the activities and for feeding and housing conditions to which they are subjected during the period of work while sleeping in the sugar plantations. "


[3]
addition to not offer a true when dealing with rural development in low-wage jobs, the biofuels industry also brings negative economic impacts and social conflicts. After the first oil crisis of 1973-1974, as a direct result of the incentives in the form of credits provided for the construction of refineries and up to 75 percent of subsidies where the main beneficiaries were the major producers of biofuels, there was a large expansion in the areas of cane for production, while it reached a level of overproduction. This has occurred through the acquisition of land from small farmers who planted food crops. Thus, subsidies under the program Proalcool (pro-Alcohol) to biofuel crops made uncompetitive food producers. This, in turn, brought heavy clashes between farmers who had been forced off their land to large landowners who sometimes occupied or delimit their land beyond their property rights.
[4] production of biofuels, especially in the first 10 years, was accompanied by numerous problems. There were many negative social and environmental impacts, including pollution of rivers and fish kills as a result of dumping the waste from the vines (in the production of 1 liter Ethanol is produced between 10 and 15 liters of vinasse), problems of poor conditions of workers in industry, contamination of the area by burning waste fields and competition with other food and agriculture.

sugar cane plantation. Source: Human Rights Watch


Sometimes, as happened in 1988, sugar prices rose sharply and the government opened the industry to export. The following year there was a lack of domestic supply for the manufacture of ethanol leading to the government to allow imports of the same, making Brazil the largest importer ethanol. Despite the problem of fiscal funds brought Proalcool subsidies, the government was forced to continue with its implementation because otherwise the industry would have faced serious damage. In addition to the guarantees and subsidies, loans were granted to public and state guarantees to farmers and ethanol processing industries. However, the payment of these loans became a problem. An interdepartmental commission created for this purpose found that only the debt to the Banco do Brasil was 2,500 million and estimated that the subsidy meant unpaid debts from 1999-2000 was $ 0,049 U.S. dollars per liter (or 20% final price per gallon of ethanol).
[5] In 1989, there was the peak of ethanol production in Brazil to 11 million cubic meters fell to 5.1 in 2000 and continued to decline until 2004. Oil prices and government efforts to maintain strong national currency converted to ethanol in a product incompetent in terms of cost. Also, the sugar export market has a strong impact on the supply of ethanol, with supply problems when the price of sugar rises.

[6] Even in the case of Brazil we are talking about a highly volatile market. For example, in both recent months biofuels have been economically viable, however, a few months ago, Brazil recorded losses in the production thereof. Some analysts speculate that ethanol production in Brazil has been the cause of the prices of the grasses and grains for ethanol and biodiesel production went up. In the case of Brazil, biofuel production based on sugarcane production is the most economically viable. Brazil has been able to produce ethanol, due to climatic conditions and the developed technology. The premise that uses both the biofuels industry, as the U.S. government, is that this model be replicated other countries to achieve energy independence. Senator Maria Cantwell, D is the State of Washington, said Brazil's example showed that biofuels were the only way to break the addiction to imported oil, " [7] . However, more needs to find places where this might be feasible from an economic standpoint. In Latin America, in fact, has been very little research on economic and agricultural viability of biofuel production that would suggest that efficient production so they even approach the effectiveness of producing ethanol from sugarcane in Brazil.


Cambio Climático y la formula “De la fuente a la rueda” Fuente: Diario Hoy El tema de los biocombustibles es un tema candente en materia económica y de energéticos y cada vez más polémico en el tema social y del medio ambiente. Hay quienes han enmarcado este debate dentro del debate del cambio climático, comúnmente conocido como calentamiento global. El Tratado marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el cambio climático y su precedente el Protocolo de Kyoto, contemplan el intercambio de emisiones de carbono a través del Mecanismo para el Desarrollo Limpio (MDL) dentro del cual se pueden adquirir créditos de carbono mediante la construcción de proyectos verdes in other countries.
This is an incentive for the development of such projects. In this case, depending on the technology, there are cases where the formula from the source to the wheel (well to wheel in English) to work and carbon emissions have a positive figure for the reduction of global warming. According to Todd Johnson, a specialist in energy and former director of World Bank Climate Change, in fact the formula is positive if it does not take into account all the pesticides and the process from planting to the transportation of the same. This is very important, especially compared to the millions of dollars invested in technology and their manufacture. In an interview with the Berkeley Daily Planet Miguiel Professor Dr. Altieri and Holt-Giménez, Director of Food First, in February 2006 spoke of the energy balance is bleak. In addition, stated that "according to investigations of Patzek and Pimentel see serious results can be negative in the production of biofuels. Other researchers see a return of 1.2 to 1.8 for ethanol in their best estimates. "

[8]


The Biofuels and their impacts Among the communities and NGOs from North and South have raised many concerns about the negative impacts of model and assumptions proposed by the industry producing biofuels that particularly affect developing countries. Among these issues is the redirection of water for these crops, food security and sovereignty, the agricultural frontier expansion, soil erosion, social impacts because of the "rural development, land use and deforestation, among many other concerns .
One of the most spoken, which not only affects the viability and efficiency of the production of biofuels, especially ethanol from sugarcane, is the need for intensive irrigation of these crops. It is important not to redirect the use of water for food crop cultivation for the production of biofuels. The issue of using water as a resource to cater to the people and not the other car was a topic discussed during the World Water Conference in Stockholm. Johan Kuylenstierna, Director of the Conference, said that governments and companies are discussing the issue of biofuels as a solution, should consider issues related to water use.
A major concern with this issue is security and food sovereignty. The use of grains for animal consumption and for biofuels can potentially jeopardize the security there is sufficient food production the world's population, particularly when it comes to basic consumer product, such as corn or soybeans. Another related issue is the rising prices of these same commodities. With mass production and industrialized in the model you are working today for biofuel production have been rising and some products, as was the case of maize. Here in the United States lobbying of large industrial agriculture are colliding with their counterparts working for the meat industry, whose price has gone up as a direct result.
Another major concern is the expansion of the agricultural frontier into the Amazon. The "Explanation" that the Amazon is not endangered by the expansion of the sugar industry due to invalidate its planting in the forest, is a fallacy, steel, Mr Roberto Smeraldi of Friends of the Earth Amazonia. At present, sugarcane is cultivated in the regions of Sao Paulo, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, southeast and south central Brazil, thanks to the natural conditions of the region. The shank can be irrigated by rain and an ideal climate. One argument used to argue that there will be an expansion of cane cultivation in the Amazon jungle is not natural conditions for cultivation, because the cane needs también tres meses de sequía, pero la realidad ha demostrado que hay tipos de caña de muy alta calidad que se pueden cultivar en la Amazonia. Cerca de Manaus, por ejemplo, hay una empresa cañera que suple de azúcar a la Coca-Cola local y la empresa sembró una excelente calidad de caña. Además, cabe resaltar, que recientemente esta empresa recibió una multa del gobierno por las condiciones de esclavitud en las que tenía a sus trabajadores. Sin embargo, decir que la Amazonía no está en peligro directo por la expansión directa de plantíos de caña es tal vez verdad, por razones de costos, más que de viabilidad. Lo que no descarta la posibilidad de que la caña pueda entrar a la selva misma. Sin But as Mr Smeraldi there are other immediate hazards directly associated with the mass production of biofuels, the vicious cycle of planting soybeans and the incentives for multilateral and the country itself to expanding the agricultural frontier into the Amazon. "We are very concerned in Brazil for the use of soil quality including the Amazon and are sites of high importance for biodiversity," said Alcides Faria, Director of the Brazilian organization Ecoa. This expansion is what the proponents of biofuels called "development" rural and contraction of new jobs. This process is already underway with the help of loans World Bank livestock industry and tanneries have been awarded as incentives to promote the move livestock in the region of Sao Paulo to the Amazon.
rural "development" is the name given to the expansion of the fully productive agricultural land leading to erosion of them through the planting of orchards destructive of the riches of the soil such as sugar cane plantations , which opens the door to a strong immigration by creating jobs for cheap labor, which has strong impacts on local communities. Historically, sugar cane plantations were known for being a hard working, poorly paid and high levels of abuse of human rights and labor. This rural "development" promises to create jobs both in processing and in the planting. Experience with the conditions of the sugarcane plantations have historically been deplorable, where a low wage slave with no benefits or protection. In the words of the Lord Vellutini, Vice President of the Department of Environment and Infrastructure of the IDB, in the case of biofuels, the environment was the least worried, which was very worried about "the conditions of workers." He referred to past experience where he said he had worked with the laborers of "cold food" in Brazil and that he was very concerned about this issue in relation to the ethanol industry.


[9]


The land use is an important issue because every acre we move towards the savannah, the rainforest, wildlife or any other area rich in biodiversity is a loss that you go beyond the amount of land but that affects the whole chain of life on the planet and makes an impression difficult to calculate in terms of major impact on biodiversity. Should also be included in the formula of profit from the use of biofuels on climate change, the loss of forests as a result of the expansion forests and agricultural cycles and created incentives for other crops such as sugarcane, which can then be used to harvest crops for biofuels.
Investment International Financial Institutions (IFIs)
The ESPAM conducted a joint study with the United Nations Program for Development to investigate and make a recommendation about the use and production potential of biofuels in the short and medium term in developing countries. The study is entitled


Potential for Biofuels for Transport in Developing Countries, 2005 (currently only available in English) was made by Masami Kojima and Todd Johnson. This paper suggests that the model of Brazil in terms of biofuel production, is, today, a short-term model is difficult to reproduce, both by weather conditions and by the specific technology that is needed. In its economic analysis of biofuel production and marketing

[10] suggests that depending on the crop and technology, it is possible to produce biofuels to help reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. However, it warns that in order to deduce whether this is the best investment, you have to take into account the opportunity cost each step, which, in many cases does not seem efficient investment. Johnson concluded that there is no evidence that biofuels contribute positively to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, or that are economically profitable. He said that is why biofuels industry requires heavy subsidies, as in the seventies in Brazil. [11] Thus, according to the same words of Mr. Johnson, on the recommendation of its study, the World Bank and is currently investing or recommend investment in biofuels to its member countries. The study was not well received or by biofuel-producing countries, mainly Brazil and the United States, much less by the industry. Even when the summary of his report appears between the lines warn of potential impacts and the difficulty of their economic viability, as explained by Johnson are obvious, "the terrible political pressures to which his team came under" pressure from mainly governments of Brazil and the United States. Given the socio-environmental and economic, Johnson, and energy specialist from the World Bank and head of economic studies and environmental impact of biofuels, today does not recommend that the World Bank or the Central American countries and Latin America to invest in biofuels. He also stressed that there is no doubt that the industry will need large subsidies. The large U.S. agribusiness lobby and will be seeking more production subsidies by governments. other hand, former World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, while still at the Bank, said the more efficient production and the future of biofuels is in the production of cellulose (production of biofuels from bagasse cane). However, according to the analysis performed by specialists are years away from having the right technology to produce cellulose. Wolfowitz himself acknowledged the problems to which the industry faces. In a speech before the U.S. Congress praised the "scope of the ethanol industry but warned that while other countries if they should find a similar energy independence, Brazil's success does not mean that one can achieve equal success in other places" [12]
. However

Johnson noted that there is a difference between the terms of biofuels and bioenergy, the Bank is interested in further study.
Despite the recommendations of spam, and even the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD, the Bank Group World biofuels are not investing in the IFC, the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group and the Inter-American Development Bank if they are investing The Inter-American Development Bank and Biofuels. IDB Projects:




[13]
[1] * IDB Biofuels Projects 30 Aug 2007 [doc, 34 KB] In April this year the Bank Development announced support for a target investment of 3,000 million dollars for private sector projects for biofuels.

[14] En realidad estos números nos dan la idea equivocada; el BID no estará financiando esta cifra pero contribuirá por medio del sector privado del BID en asociación con otras inversiones privadas. Durante una entrevista con el nuevo Vicepresidente de Infraestructura y Medio Ambiente, el señor Roberto Vellutini, antes parte del sector privado del BID, dijo que en realidad el Banco no tenía todos estos fondos designados para los biocombustibles y que la inversión actual del BID se limitaba a fondos de apoyo para levantar y complementar la inversión de inversionistas privados para expandir la capacidad de producción.

El Banco esta trabajando en varios proyectos de estudio en Centroamérica, con la financiación de 3 projects producing cane sugar mills which have a total cost of $ 570 million, "the IDB, to be co-financier, will invest only 30%. In early August, Moema project was approved, a proposed $ 40 million. The $ 570 billion for the project Moema and 3 new projects called "greenfields" Minha two Gerais and one in Mato Grosso do Sul The Bank will invest in 10 additional projects. There is also a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Brazil and the United States for development in the biofuels area, resulting from the tour of President George Bush
Latin America in March 2007. Co nformidad with the agreement between the United States and Brazil to transfer technology to produce ethanol, it was decided to make an analytical study known as the "blueprint" of each country. Is a snapshot of the country where all factors are analyzed in order to determine the viability of each country. [15]


The "blueprint" was the first step is the basis for knowing what the next steps to take: it would, regulatory framework and access to public and private sector to adequately perform . The IDB currently working on sustainability in El Salvador, Dominican Republic and Haiti, in that order to conduct feasibility studies and assistance in many countries publica.Son Central America do not have oil, so they are subject to volatility in oil prices. There are many countries that want to enter the "age of ethanol, especially Guatemala and El Salvador, where there is already a regulatory framework.
According to a press release from the same bank, the Bank intends to support the goal that the Brazilian government has established to become the center of excellence for research and development of biofuels. The plans are also to transfer information and technical assistance from Brazil to other countries in the region as well, the Bank would play a facilitating role in these initiatives. Results Mesoamerican Biofuels Program co-organized by IDB-SG-SICA IDB President Mr. Luis Alberto Moreno, along with Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida and brother of the president of the United States of America, and Roberto Rodriguez, President Superior Council of Brazil and former Brazilian Agriculture Minister head the Interamerican Ethanol Commission. The Commission was born of a proposal submitted by Jeb Bush, President George Bush in April this year. The directors of the Commission were appointed by members of the Florida FTAA, which is the body that takes care of the Free Trade Area of \u200b\u200bthe Americas, and has its headquarters in Florida and that Jeb Bush is a member. "The proposal of former Governor is called "Ethanol Hemispheric Policy" which states that the United States must generate 15,000 million gallons of ethanol per year by 2015, almost 10% of current domestic demand for gasoline and twice that required by Policy Act Energy 2005 "


[16]
, which means a huge new market for the agriculture industry and ethanol producers.

The Interamerican Ethanol Commission acts according to its mission "to promote awareness of the benefits of renewable fuels to economies throughout the Americas and contribute to the formation of a framework for a regional market for ethanol feasible, promoting the policy guidance needed to promote investment, both foreign and domestic production of renewable fuels and infrastructure.
[17] According to Jessica Fernandez, Public Relations representative of the Commission, this is a public-private partnership to promote ethanol in the Americas as a result of exchange as an alternative to the situation, "Oil and geopolitics the benefit it would bring to reducing CO2 emissions. " The commission is to publish a study on ethanol in cooperation with IICA (Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

[18] ). National Development Bank of Japan will help finance the distillery as customers will have exclusive Japanese markets. Investment in these distilleries, according to Pulo Roberto Costa, Petrobras executive could reach 200 million dollars each. Petrobras and Mitsu & Co. Ltd based open subsidiaries in Brazil. A project between Brazil and Japan with an investment of eight billion dollars will provide sugar cane ethanol to supply Japanese markets. Japan will require 1.8 billion to six million liters of ethanol per year, according to the objectives of 3 to 10% mix of ethanol and petroleum. Petrobras also announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Mitsubishi for a company to consider building a gas pipeline to help export ethanol to Japan [19] .

Private investment In 2004, George Bush stated that 20% of U.S. gasoline in 2017 would be supplemented with "alternative fuels" mainly ethanol and established as a national goal "to replace more than 75 % of our oil imports from Middle East in 2025 and has championed ethanol as a major source to achieve this objective. Even been given the nickname "Chief Developer" ethanol "

[20] . Not so surprising to find a big boost of lobbying by the agro-industry to continue pushing the issue of biofuels in the Agricultural Act of the United States. This creates a potentially huge market for agro-industry and so the interest in investing in the biofuels industry has grown in the United States and internationally in the last year
One of the largest companies in the industry created is a conglomeration of U.S. and Brazilian investors. Renewable Brazilian company Energy Company (Brenco) is based in Bermuda and headed by former World Bank President Mr. James Wolfensohn, AOL founder Steve Case, Vinod Khosla of Sun Microsystems investor and supermarket magnate Ron Burke which have formed a company will start with $ 240 million and try to capture a total investment of 2,000 million dollars. The company is headed by Philippe Reichstul, former president of the Brazilian Government's national company Petrobras. According to David Zylbersztanjn, one of its investors and former director of ANP (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Natural Gas and Biofuels, Brazil), and daughter of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso's announcement the creation of this investment is "just a coincidence" with Bush's visit to Guatemala this past March. Brenco announced the results of a pilot project that produced small amounts of cellulose ethanol from bagasse at only 25 cents per liter and that they expected to produce 50,000 liters per day in 5 more years.
Petrobras and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC for short) signed a memorandum of understanding between Petrobras and some Japanese companies. These companies are engaged in the production and sale of ethanol plants burn bagasse for energy production and opportunities sale of credits under the Clean Development Mechanism under Climate Change. Pure Biofuels Corporation announced in June this year the construction of its first plant in the Port of Callao in Lima, to begin in October 2007. The plant will have a capacity 52.000galones per year and is expected to start operating in early 2008. According to the founder and president of the company, Luis Goyzueta, this will be one of the largest biofuel plant in South America. The company has secured long-term lease of 60,000 hectares of land in eastern Peru, which will expand to 100,000 hectares in the following months. This fact produce biofuel palm and is located next to Pampilla refinery, the largest refinery in Peru. has memoranda of understanding for the sale of biofuels with distributors around the Port of Callao.

[21]


other investment that has attracted public attention in a partnership similar to that of Novartis to UC Berkeley: it's the new contract for British Petrolium of 500,000 million for biofuels research . One of the criticisms heard is the use of public resources for the benefit of private industry and problems with academic freedom and principles academic, not to mention the environmental impacts. "This has been an issue that both students and academics describe as the prostitution of the university takes to keep an eye on science. Professor Ignacio Chapela of UC Berkeley described it as a "coup de grace" to the idea of \u200b\u200ba university should represent the public interest. " The reality is that dissatisfaction with this public-private partnership for the benefit of BP is both among academics and students. It is not just another form of subsidy to corporations but part of the campaign to legitimize the research conducted by industry for industry. Conclusion



No doubt that is necessary to find a sustainable model of alternative energy for the planet and long-term solutions that have the least negative impact. To reach this result it is essential not only to apply an appropriate model for each country and each region in an efficient and sustainable but also change the social and economic behavior with respect to energy consumption. You need to plan a regional infrastructure to a model where energy use is limited. International Financial Institutions and the leaders of the various governments should undertake independent studies to corporations and invest in infrastructure necessary to actually peoples. A clear example of the wrong model is IIRSA (Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America). This initiative is led by the IDB and other regional banks (CAF FONPLATA). IIRSA is based on an export model and extractive whose focus is on the construction of mega projects Does it make sense to build new roads instead of intercontinental electric trains, or wind energy when we are on the verge of an oil crisis? International Financial Institutions must take responsibility and build real sustainable alternatives infrastructure to prepare the region for a new energy era. The IDB should have a policy Energy exhaustive, where the search for a participatory and sustainable model for the region.
The issue of biofuels, even assuming and mitigate all adverse impacts, leaving open the question of economic viability. The argument that the model works is based on the Brazilian experience which has required substantial subsidies from the state. From this reasoning we can deduce that the industry pushes for even more public subsidies. The danger is that large agribusiness producers, not small will be the recipients of these subsidies.
Criticism of biofuels are not categorical but specific to the model proposed. Some argue that there is another type of biofuels which, if not an unlimited resource or a large multi-million dollar business is an interesting alternative to explore such as the use of recycled oil. For example, the oil used to fry potatoes in fast food restaurants as in the case of McDonalds in the UK where this year more than half its fleet used oil recycling the same restaurants instead of diesel.
[22]
. Other alternatives that are the same that have been proposed to mitigate the effects of the green revolution. You can think of the viability of small-scale organic plantations of various crops that are efficient in each region. This combined with the use of different types of small-scale infrastructure to meet the needs of both local and solar energy, hydropower, wind, etc..

The issue of biofuels is a complex issue that should be explored in a cautious, independent of industry interests. It is clear that the intensive model of agriculture for biofuels raised by Brazil and the United States is not a solution sustententable for all countries in the region. Heavy investment by some banks and private investors are moving this machinery at a speed too fast. It is necessary to establish regulations and safeguards and that much remains to be investigated to determine the true economic and agricultural viability of the different types of biofuels, as well as their social, economic and environmental concerns in the different countries of the region.
[1]
Germain Valdivieso. December 12, 2006. "Launch Interamerican Ethanol Commission," by Germain Valdivieso, Diario de las Americas. Miami
http://www.diariolasamericas.com/news.php?nid=19187

[2] Masami Kojima and Todd Johnson in October 2005. "Potential for Biofuels for Transport in Developing Countries." World Bank. Washington DC
[3] Priscila Carvalho. March 21, 2005. "Wits alcohol and sugar cane offer degrading working conditions." Brazil. Http://www.adital.com.br/site/noticia.asp?lang=ES&cod=15775
[4] Kojima and Johnson 2005. World Bank. Washington DC
[5] David Luhnow and Geraldo Samor. Nov. 2006. "The successful bid by Brazil to reduce its dependence on the vagaries of Oil." Wall Street Journal Americas. Http://www.rebelion.org/noticia.php?id=25333
[6] Kojima and Johnson (2005) Op cit ..
[7] Dan Morgan. June 2005. "Brazil's Biofuel Strategy Pays Off as Gas Prices Soar." The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/17/AR2005061701440.html
[8] Miguel Altieri and Eric Holt-Gimenez, February 6.2007. "University of California's Biothech Benefactors" Berkeley Daily Planet. . Http://www.mindfully.org/GE/2007/UC-Biotech-Benefactors6feb07.htm
[9] Bank Information Center Interview with Roberto Vellutini, Inter-American Development Bank, August 7, 2007.
[10] Kojima and Johnson (2005: 6).
[11] Bank Information Center Interview with Todd Johnson, July 26.2007, World Bank, Washington, DC
[12] Alana Herro. June 8, 2006. "Biofuels Provides Opportunities for Developing Countries Woolfowitz says." World Watch Institute. Washington DC.
[13] [1] Bank Information Center Interview with Roberto Vellutini, Inter-American Development Bank, August 7, 2007.
[14] Press Release, Inter-American Development Bank, April 2, 2007. Washington DC
[15] Interview Bank Information Center with Todd Johnson, July 26, 2007, World Bank, Washington, DC
[16] Germain Valdivieso. December 12, 2006. "Launch Interamerican Ethanol Commission," by Germain Valdivieso, Diario de las Americas. . Miami http://www.diariolasamericas.com/news.php?nid=19187
[17] The Interamerican Ethanol Commission Press Release http://helpfuelthefuture.org/mediaroom-pressrelease December 18.2007 -dec18-spanish.htm
[18] IICA Website: http://www.iica.int/
[19] "Brazil-Japan Ethanol Investment worth $ 8 million. in ethanol. " March 5, 2007. Biopact. http://biopact.com/2007/03/brazil-japan-ethanol-investment-worth.html
[20] Interamerican Ethanol Commission. Http://helpfuelthefuture.org/ourhistory.htm
[21] Official Website Pure Biofuels, www.purebiofuels.com / home.html
[22] Nigel Hunt, 2007. "Fist fried, Then Vans: McDonald's to recycle oil." Reuters, UK. Sources Bank Information Center
www.semillas.org

Petite People Irregular Periodsa

Biofuels, biofuels, International Financial Institutions and Private Investment: A General Overview

The Cost of Rising Food Prices August 22, 2007
Prepared by:
Toni Johnson

Some experts link the rising cost of corn and other food to increased demand for biofuels (AP Images/Matt Rourke).

Food prices worldwide continue to
climb upward (FT)
at a pace not seen in decades. Few countries seem immune to the impact—with prices up 6 percent in Britain, around 7 percent in the United States and China, and 10 percent in India. A recent study from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that its expenditures on imported foodstuffs for the least developed and most food-challenged nations will rise 9 percent from the previous year. Josette Sheeran, head of the UN’s World Food Program, told the Financial Times last month that
rising food costs
mean the agency will be able to reach “far less people.” The agency, which spent
$600 million (PDF) for food in 2006, says its purchasing costs have risen 50 percent in the last five years. “We face the tightest agriculture markets in decades and, in some cases, on record,” Sheeran said, noting that the growing concern over the impact of biofuel demand on food prices. Several factors contribute (Mercury News) to higher farm commodities prices—including rising transportation costs, global warming, and the demand from nations such as India and China, whose people are ratcheting up their meat consumption. Yet the FAO’s analysis asserts that much of the current price hikes “can be leveled against rising prices of imported coarse grains and vegetable oils,” commodities which feature heavily in biofuel production. A recent Foreign Affairs article argues that biofuels have “tied oil and food prices together in ways that could profoundly upset the relationships between food producers, consumers, and nations in the years ahead, with potentially devastating implications for both global poverty and food security.” The Economist notes that biofuels have caused the price of corn to reach levels comparable to those of crude oil, when comparing the two commodities based on price per unit of potential energy.
In a rebuttal in Foreign Affairs, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, who hails from corn-rich South Dakota, criticizes the continued “food-versus-fuel debate,” contending that biofuels can help the world meet its energy needs “without jeopardizing food security.” Daschle, a long-time ethanol advocate, argues that higher prices will be “a short-lived challenge” since the increased demand for corn will encourage farmers to grow more of it. However, one financial analyst notes that such a solution to higher prices “might prove to be temporary ” since an increasing portion of corn crops will likely be used for biofuel instead of food. U.S. ethanol producers assert that rising oil prices are twice as responsible (PDF) for high corn prices as rising ethanol prices.
Antonio José Ferreira Simões, energy director for Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contends that biofuels offer an opportunity for developing nations to compete (IHT) in agricultural markets with developed nations, many of which “strongly subsidize” their farming. “Millions of jobs would be generated, thus increasing income, exports and food purchasing power of the poorest,” Simões wrote in the International Herald Tribune. On the impact of biofuels (FoodQualityNews.com) , European food industry writer Anthony Fletcher says that “agriculture has always adapted to the changing Needs of Humans, and There is no reason why this shouldn't be true now. "

How Long Does Oxycontin Stay In Your Urine

The cost of raising food prices

Approved the GM maize in Colombia. A threat to biodiversity and food sovereignty 07/18/1907, For Grupo Semillas

Uribe's government ignoring the huge debate that exists in the world around seeds and GM crops, and in a manner arbitrarily and without consultation, through Resolutions 464 and 465 of 2007, authorized the planting of three varieties of transgenic corn (Bt and herbicide-resistant), in the departments of Córdoba, Sucre, Huila and Tolima.

Uribe's government ignoring the huge debate that exists in the world around seeds and GM crops, and an arbitrary and autocratic manner, through Resolutions 464 and 465 of 2007, authorized the planting of three varieties of transgenic corn (Bt and herbicide-resistant) in the departments of Córdoba, Sucre, Huila and Tolima. This unilateral decision was taken hastily and without having made a full and comprehensive studies demonstrating safety and convenience of these technologies to the country and farmers. Likewise the Government has ignored the voices of refusal to these crops, as expressed by communities, indigenous and peasant and environmental groups, nor took into account the technical report on these requests, issued by the Ministry of Environment (MAVDT), on applications for commercial release, submitted by Monsanto and Dupont. This concept points to the lack of biosafety assessments made by the ICA and cites other studies that should have been done. This shows the way and little scientific rigor that has the national government to make decisions of vital importance for the country.
The adjustment of the legal framework on biosafety, gives green light to GM crops in Colombia. In late 2005, the government of Colombia made fundamental changes in legal matters related to transgenic organisms, in order to facilitate and accelerate the adoption of these new technologies in the country. It is clear that this process was a huge pressure from the biotech companies that promote such crops worldwide. Thus despite the enormous concerns, questions and lawsuits that civil society organizations filed since 2002, by the way questionable, without consultation and without scientific and legal environment that was used to approve the commercial release of Bt cotton; and subsequently other crops and GM foods, the government insists on fully opening the doors to these companies, hoping they will be redemption for the deep crisis of agriculture.

Popular Action filed against Monsanto and the Ministry of Environment, for the non-processing of an environmental license for the commercial release of Bt cotton, was handed down by the State Council in May 2005 1, where ordered obligation to conduct environmental permits for the introduction of GMOs in the country, but the Government, through the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment, did not accept this ruling. Thus, the government asked a new concept to the Council of State, on this ruling and this Court, unusually, without any argument, that leaves many questions about government pressure, reverse its own ruling and says that GMOs do not require an environmental license.

is in this context as the government takes the decision to issue, in December 2005 Decree 4525 regulates Law 740 of 2002 (Act ratifying the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety). Until then, only existed in the country ICA Resolution 3492 of 1998, regulating agricultural GMOs and Resolution 2935 of 2001, regulating GMOs used in animal production. By this Decree, is intended to replace the obligation of the State to develop a standard that truly protects Biosafety, not only the country's ecosystems, but biodiversity and human health of the population 2.


Decree 4525, an insult to biosafety


This decree obviously makes it easy to input all types of GMOs in agricultural, livestock, forestry, environmental, food, and is tailored for multinational seed , which requires cumbersome procedures for the approval of GMOs in the country, with the full backing of the national government. Some of the most critical aspects of this decree are:

• Fragmentation of responsibilities for biosecurity: The Act assigns to each of the competent authorities, the procedures for the authorization and supervision of the activities that fall within its exclusive competition in isolation and independent, through the creation of three independent CTNBio. Ie the Ministry of Agriculture evaluates and approves (GM agricultural, livestock, fisheries, forestry and agro-industrial plantations), the Ministry of Environment (transgenic for environmental use) and the Ministry of Social Protection (GM health use and food). There is no scientific support to establish the boundary lines that limit the powers in the agricultural, environmental and health, where in the world the trend is to fully evaluate these aspects.
• The application process, assessment and risk management: The application is presented only to the competent authority in accordance with the main use is assigned to a particular GMO, but need not be rigorous evaluations on other aspects that are equally vital. Additionally, risk assessments should be made to the authorities, are made by the applicant, interested in making the "judge and party", for what is lost objectivity, independence and scientific rigor that is required in this type of evaluation. It is also critical in approving risk assessment studies, since many of the documents supporting applications that deliver business, are based on studies in other contexts or guaranteed by those companies.

transgenic maize crops were approved in a shameful way


In 2003 and 2004, Monsanto and Dupont CTN submitted to the ICA, applications for the commercial release of the following corn, YieldGard Bt corn (Monsanto ) - Roundup Ready corn (Monsanto) and Herculex I Bt maize tolerant to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium (Dupont) 3

Then in late 2005, these applications began to study the Agricultural CTN ICA, under the Decree 4525. The ICA, continued with tests specific assessments primarily agronomic effectiveness of technology and no comprehensive studies on biosafety. Finally in early 2007 announced the approval of commercial planting "controlled" by the three varieties of GM corn.
Prior to the decision to release these three types of transgenic maize in Colombia, the Ministry of Agriculture CTN met twice, on January 31 and February 23, 2007. At the first meeting, the entities that are part of the CTN reached agreement that would expand the studies and evaluations concerning GM maize varieties that are intended to liberate. This decision was, in large part, based on a concept paper issued by the Ministry of Environment, Housing and Territorial Development, MAVDT, which questioned the tests so far made by the ICA, in this paper further studies were identified that had not been taken into account. Clutchless despite these concerns, on February 23, the CTN convened extraordinary meeting at the request of President Alvaro Uribe (as stated in the NTC Act), and at this meeting of arbitrarily CTN reversed its decision and authorized controlled planting of GM maize, although this meeting was not attended by the representative of MAVDT (as stated in the minutes) and most critical is that it ignored the opinion issued previously by this authority. And on the other hand, a technical unclear meaning and scope of the term "controlled plantings, as they actually are commercial plantings because the only requirement for any farmer sowing GM maize is that you join the ICA. questionable in this regard are the reasons for technical and scientific support and sustain the change of decision in the meeting of CTN Bio February 23, in authorizing controlled commercial crops rather than keeping the decision in CTN meeting of January 31 were approved in the "larger-scale pilot tests" 4. It is obvious and embarrassing that the criteria for this approval were essentially political and not based on technical, scientific and socioeconomic.

GM maize approved by the ICA, February 2006. GM Corn


Applicant Requirements
Location Features


YieldGard Bt corn Mon 810 Bt toxin

Monsanto for pest control: the stem borer. Caribbean
controlled crops and high Magdalena Wet

· Farmers are underwritten by the ICA.
· Signing of contract with the company that owns the technology.
Do not seeding Indian reservations.
· plantings at a distance of 300 m. non-GM crops. Roundup Ready Corn


Monsanto Glyphosate herbicide tolerant maize Herculex I


Dupont Bt toxin to control the plague of the stem borer. and tolerant to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium.


transgenic maize approved by the INVIMA for human and animal


For more than a decade, Colombia is importing maize massively (over 2 million tons in 2006), and certainly much of this is GM, from the United States and Argentina. These imports have been made without any control and regulation of INVIMA. Although there was no nationwide standard for evaluating and approving biosafety GMOs for food use or may have risks and effects on human health, the Bank approved before the issuance of Decree 4525, various products derived from GMOs for food use through the issuing of health records, without having conducted the relevant biosafety studies, and unusually from studies conducted in other countries supplied by the companies. Ie the approval was made only on paper, without having done any lab tests, since the INVIMA not have the logistical infrastructure to conduct these tests. GM Maize

applications and approved by the GM corn INVIMA 5
Applicant Registration Date adopted health

seed corn with YieldGard ® Bt technology
Monsanto MON 810
As raw material for food production. October 2003

Yieldgard Rootworm corn (Mon 863), resistant to attack by Diabrotica spp
Monsanto
As raw material for production of food for human consumption.

In process required technical concept of ICA
corn seeds Monsanto Roundup Ready ®

As raw material for food production.

March 2004 Corn joint technology Yieldgard x 2 Roundup Ready (MON 810 x NK 603) Monsanto

As raw material for food production.

In process required technical concept of ICA
Grain corn hybrids with Herculex I Bt technology
Dupont
As raw material for food production. October 2006

YieldGard corn rootworm (MON 88017) Monsanto

As raw material for food production.

In process required technical concept of ICA joint technology
YieldGard corn x 2 Roundup Ready (MON 810 x NK 603

Monsanto
As raw material for processing food for human consumption.

In process required technical concept of ICA
MON 89034 (pro or YieldGard VT Monsanto YieldGard 2

as raw material for food production

In process required technical concept of ICA joint technology
yielgard corn (mon 810, resistant to insect attack Lepidoptera) and lysine (l 038, with higher levels of lysine content) Monsanto

as raw material for food production

In process required technical concept of ICA


corn Studies GM made by the ICA and businesses, between 2004 and 2006


In the process of evaluation and approval of applications filed by Monsanto and Dupont, the following tests were carried out spot in the Caribbean region and Tolima:
1. Semi-commercial trials on the evaluation of technology's effect on arthropod populations Yieldgard in maize cultivation in the Colombian humid Caribbean subregions and Alto Magdalena.
2. Evaluating the effectiveness of the gene with Herculex I technology with resistance to glufosinate ammonium corn - Córdoba 2006.
3. Evaluation of the effect of Herculex I technology on arthropod populations in the cultivation of maize in the humid Caribbean subregion Colombia. 4. Trials of gene flow from conventional to modified maize in the departments of Córdoba and Tolima - 2004 and 2006. 5. Gene flow test Herculex I technology in the department of Córdoba 2006.6. use of corn grain and forage Yieldgard joint technology (resistant to lepidopteran insects) x Roundup Ready (herbicide resistant) as raw material in food processing for animal consumption.


Critical aspects of the adoption of transgenic corn


• Maize genetic heritage of the nation and the basis of food sovereignty. 6
The Colombian Government is giving free rein to these foods and crops, threatening the country's biodiversity and food sovereignty, while the world revolves around the discussion of the potential risks and impacts of GM crops and foods on the environment, biodiversity, human health and socioeconomic effects. The concern is that not enough studies have been made to ensure the security and the real benefits of these GM products, especially in diverse countries like Colombia.
Colombia is the center of convergence between Central America, the Andes and the lowlands of South America, becoming one of the centers of greatest diversity in the world. In the corn country of great importance, because it has been the staple food of much of rural and urban population and the ecosystem and cultural complexity of the territory. This situation has generated a wide diversity of native varieties that have evolved and adapted to different ecological regions, cultural and productive. That is why the introduction of transgenic maize is very critical and worrying for countries like Colombia, because they are centers of origin and diversity of maize.
Colombia has reported 23 races of maize: (2 primitive races, 9 races and 12 races introduced hybrid (both remote and recent). For each of which there are hundreds of varieties and ecotypes, which have been created, enhanced and preserved for hundreds of indigenous, peasant and Afro. Thus, in genebanks Corpoica corn, preserved more than 5,600 accessions of maize, most of them collected in Colombia.
While evaluations conducted by the ICA, along with Monsanto and Dupont, in relation to the introduction of GM maize could be considered more as agronomic evaluations that biosafety studies as such. One of the most critical aspects of this process is the total invisibility that has the potential impacts of maize GM on the valuable genetic heritage that the country and the lack of a strong culture of maize is still ingrained in millions of farmers around the country. It is unacceptable that in this assessment of GM maize, does not take into account considerations relating to the enormous diversity of maize in Colombia, nor on cultural aspects of maize.


• Insufficient studies on gene flow and lax


Although the ICA conducted assessments of gene flow, they were incomplete and did not consider the hundreds of varieties of corn that exist in Colombia. Obviously the center of origin of maize Mesoamerica and Colombia is a center of convergence and diversity, but the ICA and these companies argue that because Colombia is not the center of origin, there is no problem crossing and pollution in the country because there are no wild relatives teosinte and Tripsacum. The debate was focused exclusively on the question of whether GM corn can cross with wild species, but are totally unaware that there are hundreds of local varieties belonging to 23 native races of Zea mays, which can interbreed under natural conditions with transgenic varieties. Not knowing that there is a real danger of hybridization both in the centers of origin and diversification, is a discussion without scientific basis.

ICA is unacceptable that companies and draw conclusions about the safety of gene flow, only with the completion of a specific assessment of transgenic varieties with a few non-GM varieties. It is also a national embarrassment that these tests are conducted without the ICA as a national authority on plant genetic resources of the country, does not have an updated inventory of maize germplasm in the country, let alone not have the slightest idea on biodiversity Corn who conserve and utilize indigenous, Afro-Colombian and peasant. This is evident in the ICA only prohibits the planting of these GM maize seeds in indigenous territories, ignoring that corn is also a genetic pool of millions of peasants and that could also be affected. It is outrageous that the most recent comprehensive studies of inventory and characterization of maize in Colombia were made by Torregrosa, 1957, Robert, et al, 1957.
This shows the apathy and low valuation that the government gives to this important national heritage. So how is it possible to draw conclusions security irresponsibly over much of the germplasm of maize did not even know the ICA? The fact that many of the landraces are no current national inventory is not argument for unknown impacts they may have with transgenics. Given the existence of a large number of landraces of maize, the introduction of transgenic varieties may produce adverse effects on the environment, biodiversity and food security, considering the physiological characteristics of this plant in terms of their reproduction (allogamous corn is a plant that is characterized by a high percentage of cross-hybridization, as several studies have shown the high degree of natural hybridization of maize with its wild relatives (Tripsacum and teosinte) and varieties maize cultivation). Additionally, this aspect is more critical, considering that the Caribbean region is one of the greatest diversity of maize shows in Colombia where the ICA is considered to be the most important agro-industrial region and priority to begin planting GM corn with the expectation of ethanol production, as expressed in resolutions 364 and 365 of 2007, which authorizes these crops.

ICA washes his hands, excluding planting of GM maize in indigenous reserves


On the other hand, the ICA in the resolutions approving the planting of transgenic corn, it prohibits the planting of such seeds on Indian reservations and set a minimum distance of 300 meters from the shelter, where no planting transgenic corn. The question is that 300 meters are not sufficient to separate the conventional corn and native seeds of transgenic maize, because there are studies in various regions have shown that high winds and topographic conditions determined, the risk of pollen to pollinate other crops could reach distances of up to 500 and 1000 meters in moderate wind conditions and strong winds several miles, as are common in the Caribbean region and in the eastern plains (Torregrosa, 2000).

The ICA seeks to form manages or premeditated, which protect the genetic heritage of corn, separating GM crops from non-GM, by planting at a distance of 300 meters from the Indian reservations. Unknown global consensus that pollution does not only happen by environmental factors such as wind and insects, but also because the corn enters the indigenous and peasant lands, through food imports, and through agricultural development programs and food aid, among other forms. It is questionable how the government determined the areas allowed and not allowed to plant genetically modified corn. The ICA said that the only Crop restriction is set at 300 m, but does not define things like: Who has the right to be protected and excluded from the planting of GM maize?, who has to separate 300 meters, would be the first seed?, Who will to control these distancing, and prevent pollution in areas totally non-uniform distribution between indigenous farmers and agribusiness? What if an indigenous farmer or peasant who does not want GM crops have contaminated, who punishes and who is responsible?
In a note published in Portfolio, May 28, 2007, the ICA said that made the identification using geo-referenced maps, suministrados por el Incoder, de las áreas de resguardos indígenas en donde no se pueden hacer siembras de maíz transgénico, guardando una distancia de 300 metros. Sobre esto hay varios cuestionamientos: Por un lado es evidente que en el país muchas comunidades indígenas viven dentro de sus territorios ancestrales, que en muchos casos no coinciden con las áreas de resguardos como es el caso del resguardo Zenú en Córdoba y Sucre que según títulos coloniales tiene un área de 83.000 hectáreas y ello solo han logrado recuperar cerca de 25.000 hectáreas, pero en todo su territorio ancestral viven indígenas y campesinos que tienen numerosas variedades de maíces criollos. Igual situación ocurre en la sierra Nevada de Santa Marta en donde los pueblos indígenas consideran el límite de su territorio, la “línea negra”, que incluye zonas actualmente ocupadas por terratenientes y por agricultura agroindustrial. También como se define las áreas donde se limitara la siembra de maíz transgénico en un territorio tan complejo como el Cauca en donde los territorios ancestrales no coinciden con los resguardos actualmente reconocidos, y donde los indígenas y los campesinos en muchos casos conviven y comparten las semillas y sistemas tradicionales; pero también allí los resguardos son áreas discontinuas con presencia de terratenientes y áreas agroindustriales. Además es inaceptable que el ICA, en la autorización planting of GM maize, do not exclude these maize planting in rural areas. With this determination, is ignoring the importance of maize culture and food sovereignty of the millions of farmers in the country, leaving them completely unprotected rural communities and economies, who also provide most of the maize they still eat Colombians . In this sense, ICA completely ignored the concept paper issued by the Ministry of Environment, where it indicates that there has been no risk assessments in areas of indigenous communities, Afro-Colombians and peasants, and stresses the need for assessments primarily for producers traditional constitute more than 61% of the corn in the country community.

If the government truly wanted to protect the genetic contamination of maize with GM maize, which is held by indigenous and peasant communities, should exclude the planting of the country, it is not possible the coexistence of both types of crops, which inevitably occur because of genetic contamination, if planted in the same territory.

Will the government believes that the landraces that have been preserved and improved farmers are less senior and genetic and cultural value that landraces?, "By technical argument that the ICA despised and undervalued this germplasm and traditional peasant farming systems? Why the government has not taken account of the majority and unified position of peasants and indigenous people of the country, who do not want GM crops? Why do not these people have been consulted and communities before making a decision that may affect?

Contracts signed by Farmers and Transnational, "the noose"
When a farmer "voluntarily" accept the use of this technology, the companies that own these patents, force him to sign a contract, where clauses, with and legal implications: The farmer recognizes patents protecting the technology and seeds, the farmer agrees: just use the seeds for planting (must return the leftover), not to save seed, give away or sell them. In addition the contract has provisions for confidentiality on the technology and the company can inspect and test in fields planted with GM seeds, after 3 years. A breach of contract, leading to the termination of this and return of seeds, allowing the company to crop destruction without compensation and may file a complaint leading to the deprivation of liberty as determined 1032/jun Act. 2006 amending art. 306 of the Penal Code which criminalizes the theft of industrial property rights and rights of breeders of plant varieties protected by law or similarly confused with a legally protected. The rule says that the penalty is imprisonment of four (4) to eight (8) years and a fine of twenty-six point sixty-six (26.66) to 1500 (1,500) monthly legal minimum wage. Finally

these contracts, which will inevitably happen has already happened in other parts of the world, where farmers have been brought to the judicial courts because their crops have come via pollution or otherwise genetically modified seeds, and have been sentenced for having patented seeds. This means that "the polluter who pays." That is why most small farmers in the world who do not want these crops require application of the "precautionary principle" in which face imminent harm, is sufficient argument to say "no." Authorization


"controlled crops": A commercial release disguised


Finally, consideration is rather questionable concept of "controlled crops" that raises the ICA in the authorization that gave the companies Monsanto and Dupont. The studies carried out until February this year, are still preliminary and very specific and as noted above is primarily agronomic efficiency tests of the technology. The question for the ICA is controlled plantings What?, What's the difference with commercial plantings, since according to the resolution which authorizes these crops, not determined a limit of planting area, and the only requirement that farmers must meet to enroll in the ICA. That is why it is unacceptable that a play of words, intended to be released commercially, for the backdoor transgenic maize, without having made sufficient biosafety studies.
Technical Concept of MAVDT regarding the request for introduction of transgenic corn. 7
In the context of the applications of transgenic maize that was studying the CTNBio the Ministry of Agriculture, where the Ministry of Environment participates prior to the meeting held on February 23, 2007, sent to CTNBio, a technical document includes the concepts expressed by the Von Humboldt Institute and SINCHI, where there are issues that have not been considered in the assessments and identifies recommendations for studies to be performed on these transgenic maize. This document highlights issues such as:
aspects that must be performed in biosafety assessments, in the context of applications to genetically modified maize (Herculex technology and technology Yieldgard I): 1. The Ministry of Environment considers it essential that the studies, testing and biosecurity plans established for the development of activities with GMOs, to conduct a comprehensive environmental assessment, that beyond the considerations of agricultural and biological variables, covering all the variables environmental assessment, which refers to biological considerations, ecological, social, economic and cultural activities with derivatives of these organisms. It reiterates that progress is needed most comprehensive and compressive The agronomic and biological character.

2. The risk assessment should consider socio-economic and broader cultural, forward-chain, from production to marketing and end users involved and a national perspective.

3. The assessment must be addressed in a comparative low cost technologies accessible to farmers (conventional, commercial, organic, traditional, GM), mainly traditional constitute more than 61% of the community for 2004 corn.

4. Studying the different practices that are associated to corn, taking into account the different social and cultural groups that grow and the differences between the Colombian regions. Inform the public about the type and characteristics of the possible effects that transgenic corn may have to these different groups.

5. It is essential to continue with a new phase of trials, which would give continuity to the process of consolidation of information necessary to ensure the safe use of these LMOs and qualify the assessment procedures and decision making.

6. Update the National Inventory landraces. Also, actions should be defined and implemented for their protection and conservation both in situ and ex situ, such as strengthening collections and gene banks.

7. Larger trials with different growing seasons and in different agro-ecological environments, considering several different locations and sowing generate a broader base of information on various agronomic conditions, environmental and ecological.

8. You must define and prioritize areas of the country for its importance in relation to the presence of native varieties could be declared free zones GM maize.

9. Establish and adopt measures to ensure coexistence between GM and traditional crops of maize and maize organic farming.

10. Characterizing environmentally planned areas for further research activities on a larger scale, with emphasis on climatic variables, wind, temperature, relative humidity and altitude.

11. To characterize the biological diversity of the areas planned to continue the research, considering among other things, the presence and type of natural ecosystems, presence and proximity to protected areas related wild species interact with the crops, crop fauna with emphasis on permanent and sporadic, their roles and habits, assessment of soil biota, presence, distribution and inventory of wild relatives of corn that eventually may be present in the areas under test.

12. Define and implement emergency measures prescribed in the event of accidental release of LMOs.

13. Define the measures for the disposal of material harvested or collected.

14. Comply with its obligations under Articles 23 and 26 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, related to information and public participation in decision-making process regarding GMOs and biosafety and the incorporation of socioeconomic considerations.

Reviews Unrealized identified by the Ministry of Environment:

1. Whatever aspects of the Ministry of Environment being neglected in the environmental assessment process of activities with GMOs are fundamentally related and environmental considerations related to Article 23 and 26 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the CBD , on information and public participation in decision-making process and the incorporation of socioeconomic considerations.

2. In the analysis made, the impact does not discriminate by type of producer or production system. The assessment should consider the real benefits of the universe of producers and not just a group of them.

3. Not included assessments of the relationship with the areas of indigenous communities, Afro-descendant and peasant communities, including within its food strategy and development to native maize, including those not attending in their production systems to hybrid and improved varieties through conventional methods . Should be raised and systematize information and defining appropriate measures for areas or community centers that choose to retain their cultures and traditional practices.

4. The same rule applies to local communities that have embarked upon conversion to agricultural production ecological. In the absence of rules of coexistence, it is considered that can not be put at risk the efforts of the producers and the state in this type of investment. You must define and implement appropriate measures to protect these crops and production systems. The risk analysis should incorporate cultural considerations, issues related to traditional seed exchange that is part of cultural practices. Strategies


indigenous and peasant communities to the transgenics


In many regions the indigenous, black farmers have a very critical position on the impacts which could generate transgenic organisms in their territories and has been building strategies, actions and alliances for the defense of local seeds, especially around the corn, compared to genetic contamination that may occur by the introduction of transgenic maize in territories.

This is the case Zenú Village, who has an extraordinary culture of maize, expressed in more than 25 varieties of the crop they have created, enhanced and preserved since ancient times. Thus, in October 2005, 170 indigenous councils Zenues of Cordoba and Sucre, said the indigenous reserve of San Andrés de Sotavento "territory GM-free "TLT 8. This decision is of paramount importance, since Zenues protected by constitutional rights on their territory, are putting the defense on biodiversity and food sovereignty, which is severely threatened by agro-industrial crops mainly maize and cotton around their territory.
We call on social organizations, institutions and people sitting directly or indirectly affected by the arbitrary decision of the government to speak out and take actions to seek repeal, as if Colombia accepts these transgenic crops, it would ruin the genetic heritage of the Nation and would give what little remains of agriculture and food sovereignty, a handful of corporations.
http://www.ecoportal.net/

Notes:
1 Council of State on February 4, 2005 with presentation by Dr. Olga Inés Navarrete Barrero. AP - 25000 - 23 - 27-000 - 2003 - 00181-022 The government plans to introduce GM crops in Colombia without an environmental license, 2006
http://www.semillas.org.co/sitio.shtml?apc=d1d1-- & , x = 20154575
3 The transgenic maize are to be introduced in Colombia, 2005. Http://www.semillas.org.co/sitio.shtml?apc=c1a1--&x=20154612
4 Resolution 464 ICA 2007. Http://www.bch.org.co/bioseguridad/admon/archivos/leyes/2007R464.pdf Resoulción
and ICA 465, 2007
http://www.bch.org.co/bioseguridad/admon/archivos/ leyes/2007R465.pdf 5 Seabees, INVIMA: Act 05 of 2003 for seed corn with YieldGard ® technology in food production, Act 02 of 2004 for seed corn with Roundup Ready ® technology as feedstock for the production food, Act 05 of 2006 for corn kernels from corn hybrids with Herculex I Bt technology as a raw material for food production. Minutes that can be found on the link "Steps and Services "-" Acts of Commission Review "-" Food Chamber. " Http://www.invima.gov.co/ 6 The GM corn threatens the country's genetic heritage and food sovereignty, 2005. Http://www.semillas.org.co/sitio.shtml?apc=c1a1--&x=20154613 7 National Biosafety Technical Committee for agriculture, livestock, fisheries, commercial plantations and agro-industry (CTNBio) . Concept Activities Technical Applications Genetically Modified Organisms. Document submitted by the Ministry of Environment at the meeting of January 31, 2007 at the meeting of CTN Ministry of Agricultura.8 Zenú Declaration of the Indigenous Reservation, Cordoba and Sucre, as GMO-free territory. San Andrés de Sotavento October 7, 2005. http://www.semillas.org.co/sitio.shtml?apc=c1a1--&x=2097175