Press Release: European Commission gathers key international players to discuss sustainable development of biofuels

On 5 and 6 July 2007, the European Commission will bring together some of the most influential figures in the biofuel sector to debate the benefits and challenges of bio-fuels production and use. Hosted by External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the two-day conference will include key contributions from the Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, Brazil’s President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Portuguese Prime Minister, José Sócrates. European Commissioners Andris Piebalgs, Peter Mandelson, Louis Michel and Stavros Dimas, and Ministers from the EU and all over the world will also participate, as well as business representatives and academics, representatives of NGOs and other groups to discuss how to develop an international approach to biofuel production, use and trade. Debates will be addressing five key issues: policies to support biofuels; development of international trade in biofuels, environmental risks and benefits of production and use, biofuels and developing countries and research activities in biofuels.