The Biotechnology Industry Organization this week released news of two special reports saying new policies to promote biofuels made from ethanol and other crop residues could increase farm profits $5 billion nationwide.

The first report, "Growing Energy: How Biofuels Can Help End America's Oil Dependence," says biofuels -- typically ethanol from grain and crop residues – could help reduce America's dependence on foreign oil while adding $5 billion annually to farm profits by 2025 if production commitments are made now. The report was issued by the nonprofit National Resources Defense Council

The second report, "25 by 25: Agriculture's Role in Ensuring U.S. Energy Independence" by the Ag Energy Working Group of the Energy Future Coalition, shows how America's farmers can contribute 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States by 2025 and not at the expense of producing abundant, safe and affordable food and feed. The group comprises a blue- ribbon panel of farmers, educators, co-op directors, and members of a broad range of agriculture associations.

For more information visit the BIO's Industrial and Environmental webpage

3/4/2005