EU set to scrap biofuels target amid fears of food crisis

The European commission is backing away from its insistence on imposing a compulsory 10% quota of biofuels in all petrol and diesel by 2020, a central plank of its programme to lead the world in combating climate change.

Ukraine: the quotas for grain export may be cancelled at the end of April 2008

Cargill stopped the production of sun oil at its plants in Ukraine

Yugtranzitservis sells the port in Taganrog

One of the main grain traders, "Yugtranzitservis", sells its main port - JSC "Taganrog Shipyard".

Change in farming can feed world - report

Sixty countries backed by the World Bank and most UN bodies yesterday called for radical changes in world farming to avert increasing regional food shortages, escalating prices and growing environmental problems.

Russia: the spring crops were sown at 10% of the planned area

According to the Federal Statistics Service of Russia, as for April 14, the area under spring crops sowings totaled 5 mln ha (10.2% from the plan), up 323.200 ha as compared to the same period last season.

Ukraine: the quotas for sun oil export still not distributed

Ukraine: in 2008/09 season the carry-over stocks of grain to reach 7 mln tonnes

'People Are Dying Before Our Eyes'

In the Middle Eastern country of Yemen, people get by on an average of Ђ1.18 ($1.86) per day. The government faces the challenges of a wave of refugees from Somalia, tribal warfare in the north and the constant threat of terrorism.

The Fury of the Poor

Around the world, rising food prices have made basic staples like rice and corn unaffordable for many people, pushing the poor to the barricades because they can no longer get enough to eat. But the worst is yet to come.