Energy Crisis, Biofuel Caps Threaten European Food Security

Germany's Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. (UFOP) opposes the proposed reduction of the cap on biofuels from cultivated biomass in the German Federal Ministry for the Environment’s draft bill, warning it threatens the supply of rapeseed meal, a key feed protein. The UFOP stresses that biodiesel production is crucial for German and European rapeseed producers and that biofuels contribute to climate change mitigation without burdening the federal budget. Meanwhile, global food systems consume 40% of all petrochemicals and 15% of the world's fossil fuels, with agriculture heavily dependent on fossil fuel inputs like synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and transport, which exacerbates climate change and food insecurity. Rising oil prices, fueled by geopolitical tensions such as Israel-Iran conflicts and the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, further destabilize food and energy markets, driving up costs for fuel, fertilizers, and food production globally. The dependence on fossil fuels in food systems remains largely unaddressed in climate discussions, posing significant risks to achieving climate goals and global food security. Experts warn that without restructuring food production and energy use, the intertwined crises of energy insecurity and food supply instability will persist.