Lula says historic agri-energy opportunity only realized if “rich countries open their markets”, says Brazil has 60 million more hectares for soy, sugar cane expansion

In Brazil, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva told the Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE) forum that “Agroenergy offers a historic opportunity,” in the transition to a new energy mix, but said that “a revolution that will only take place if rich countries open their markets, reducing their farm subsidies.” Lula and other smaller nations have failed to win concessions on agricultural subsidies at the Doha Round of trade liberalization negotiations. Lula said that Brazil has 60 million hectares of unused grassland, already deforested and not used for pasture, and said it could be converted for ethanol and biodiesel production without adverse climate effects.

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