FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Monte Shaw, 515-252-6249

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2010

“Coalition for Subsistence Farming” Strikes Out Against E15

Groups Seek to Boost Profits While Leaving Consumers Stuck on Foreign Oil

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw issued the following statement in response to a federal lawsuit filed against EPA’s recent decision to approve the use of E15 for 2007 and newer vehicles.  The lawsuit was filed by a handful of associations referring to themselves collectively as "The Coalition,” including the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the American Meat Institute, the National Council of Chain Restaurants, the National Meat Association, the National Turkey Federation, the National Chicken Council, the National Pork Producers Council, the Snack Food Association and the American Frozen Food Institute.

This so-called ‘Coalition’ would be more accurately named the ‘Coalition for Subsistence Farming.’  For years, taxpayers spent billions on farm program costs while these industries profited handsomely from below-market corn prices.  Thanks in part to ethanol, today farmers are receiving a fair market price for their labor, but this coalition wants to turn back the clock to the days of subsistence farming.

In 2008 this coalition blamed rising food prices on ethanol.  But every credible review of the facts – from USDA to the World Bank – found these groups raking in record profits as corn prices had a negligible impact on food prices.  These facts remain central – energy prices impact the cost of food many times more than the price of corn and ethanol helps reduce energy prices.  The ‘Coalition’ was wrong then and they are wrong now.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry. The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.

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