MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil promises full debate on bio-fuels at Sao Paulo summit

Brazil expects to host representatives from 190 countries, including several world leaders for the International Conference on Bio-fuels which is scheduled for next November in Sao Paulo.

The Environment Ministry one of the organizers of the five day meeting said the main purpose of the meeting is to convince the world of the sustainability of green fuels such as ethanol and bio-diesel. Brazil together with United States leads a global initiative to promote the production and consumption of bio-fuels as an alternative to fossil fuels. Brazil is the world's main producer and exporter of sugar cane ethanol and the US of corn ethanol. Both argue that bio-fuels could help reduce world demand for hydrocarbons and also help lower contaminating emission volumes responsible for the greenhouse climate effect. Brazil has signed agreements with several countries for the transfer of bio-fuel technology and the European Union and Japan have already announced plans to blend ethanol with fossil fuels. However some non government organizations argue that ethanol could accelerate the devastation of the Amazon forests, the region towards where sugar cane plantations are advancing and thus aggravating the current greenhouse effect. Other countries such as Venezuela and Cuba have warned that the growing interest in bio fuels is increasing the price of food which could worsen the hunger and mal nutrition situation in several developing countries. Brazil apparently is open to have all parties participate in the forum, governments, businessmen, scientists and NGO. Egon Krakhecke Sustainable Extraction and Development Environment minister believes the forum will allow Brazil show to the world that ethanol production is not damaging for the environment. Krakhecke said that those who favor and support bio-fuels will have all the answers for those who criticize ethanol and bio-diesel production during the Sao Paulo meeting. "Brazil is aware of its international leadership in the bio fuels business, and is also aware of doubts and restrictions that are imposed regarding production of this alternative fuel", he emphasized.