Food for fuel

Land suitable for growing food in many parts of Europe could see a switch to growing high-energy plants for conversion into fuel. Farmers are already receiving EU financial incentives to grow biofuel crops such as rapeseed.

A biofuel alternative to diesel fuel, bio-diesel is compatible with regular diesel. The two can be mixed at different strengths depending on engine design. For most engines a mix containing 20 per cent bio-diesel is preferable. So far this is only available from a single distribution point at the Edible Oil Refining Company in Marsa.

With less tailpipe emissions than diesel (except for nitrous oxide which is higher) the use of biodiesel as a substitute for conventional fuels brings some benefits not only for cleaner air but can also mean more efficient sewage treatment. With three new sewage treatment plants due to come on line in the Maltese Islands within the next few years it is imperative to avoid practices which might clog up the works.

The Water Services Corporation, which is responsible for drains, reports that one third of stoppages in the sewage system are caused by the discard of fats and oils. Commercial establishments in Malta and Gozo are obliged by a legal notice to install grease traps conditional to obtaining an operating permit. But for households there is no legal instrument to regulate how much oil and fat is poured down drains into the sewers.

Households with oil leftover from frying or deep-frying food may soon make use of a collection service to be provided by WasteServ starting from May. The long term aim of a pilot project involving over 16,000 households is to reduce damage to sewage treatment membranes by keeping oils and fats out of the sewerage system. If no steps are put in place to prevent damage then maintenance of the new treatment plants will be more complicated and expensive.

Switching from petroleum oil to plant oil (biofuel) could go some way to getting the Kyoto Protocol on climate change rolling. Feeding our cars on fuel that comes from living plants seems a friendly enough idea. Fossil fuel comes from plants long dead, locked deep in the ground. Burning oil from this source releases back into the atmosphere carbon dioxide which was captured eons ago.

If nothing is done to prevent or slow global warming by reduction of carbon dioxide the planet could see catastrophic changes within 20 years. Some crops growing in the Mediterranean region may not be able to adapt as the climate becomes more like that of a sub-tropical zone.

If plants with a high calorific value such as rapeseed are used for fuel to power vehicles we will only be returning into the atmosphere what we took out during the plant's life when the CO2 was captured to manufacture cellulose. This has the potential to help keep Europe's countryside green and help farmers stay on the land. Some question still remains as to whether energy alternatives such as solar might be a better choice while the land is used to grow food instead of fuel.

The biotechnology industry is reasearching how to modify genes in fuel crops to produce a plant which will render more calorific value. A pre-accession report on the impact of GMOs and their regulation in Malta found that GMOs approved by the EU such as rapeseed could have a detrimental effect on the local environment. The report emphasised that any applications to carry out deliberate release of such products should be subject to the most stringent boundary and safety regulations.

No studies have yet been carried out to establish whether genetically modified rapeseed would hybridise with related species in the Maltese environment. There is a lack of mathematical models for predicting whether a particular species will become invasive in the Maltese ecology.

Fortunately it is highly unlikely that any rapeseed will be planted here to meet fuel needs. It was acknowledged at a conference on Biofuels last week that we do not have enough open land to support the growing of fuel crops to provide our energy needs. An area ten times the land mass of the Maltese Islands would have to be converted to growing biofuel to meet the energy demand.

However the gaze of local researchers is trained on marine sources of biofuel. Professor Alex Felice spoke on the possibility of harvesting useful supplies in sufficient quantity of single celled marine algae as a source of biomass for energy. Professor Felice is active in genetics and genome research at the university's Department of Physiology and Biology.

Vote on GMO ban

Opponents of genetically modified organisms are concerned about the extent to which commercial interests are driving biotechnology and its regulatory system. GM Watch asks why such a powerful technology, about which there are still deep uncertainties, has been introduced so rapidly without meaningful public consultation.

"Big biotech propaganda would have us believe the GM plants will end world hunger, but the reality is it will increase corporate control of the world food supply and damage farmers, consumers and the environment," says Michael O'Callaghan, co-ordinator of the GM-free Ireland campaign.

Eighteen gene plant varieties, including maize, rapeseed, chicory and soy, were approved in Europe before the EU stopped permitting any more experimental or commercial growth of new gene crops in 1998. Austria, Greece, Italy and Luxembourg, among other EU states, have banned gene crops including those already approved.

Last year the de facto EU moratorium on GMOs showed signs of cracking when approval was given for imports of Bt-11 maize. This month a number of key EU decisions on GMOs are expected. EU ministers are to vote on national GMO bans that the Commission wants lifted.

A pre-accession report on the impact of GMO regulation in Malta warns of a conflict of interest. "No party with vested interests should be allowed to control or influence decisions of the competent authority."

MEPA's Biosafety Co-ordinating Committee, set up to process applications to plant GMOs, falls under the portfolio of the ministry responsible for agriculture and fisheries. This points to the need for extreme vigilance despite environmental matters being assigned to the same ministry.

Caution has been the keyword so far surrounding this government's approach to GMOs on a European level. During the year since European membership the minister representing Malta has voted a consistent "No" to new applications for entry of genetically modified organisms not previously accepted in Europe.

Maltese potatoes are among local crops that should come under scrutiny. The report goes on to say that the GM status of potato plants in Malta is unclear but notes that large amounts of glyphosate (a pesticide designed to complement plants genetically engineered to withstand it) have been used. A more in depth analysis of potatoes grown in Malta is called for in the appraisal:

"On accession into the EU, Malta would need to ensure that produce like imported potatoes is GM free. This will entail full testing schemes and if necessary consignments could be halted."

The report also recommends an exhaustive survey of all crops that could be GM-derived. Laboratory facilities and the infrastructure to support independent analysis must be set up. Trying to regulate and control GMOs according to EU directives does not appear to be worth the trouble and expense for a small island. Malta could do better by promoting its products on the organic agriculture market and declaring its position as a GM-free haven within Europe.

Sudan 1

Local food firm Foster Clark shines above big names in the food industry for ensuring strict monitoring of all raw materials and using natural extracts free from hazardous substances. Shops were forced to withdraw products from their shelves all over Europe when it was discovered that some spicy ingredients could contain a toxic additive called Sudan 1. Over 500 different products have been contaminated. The red colourant used illegally as an adulterant has even been found in soups and sauces sold by established food names.

Officer in charge of food safety at the Malta Standards Authority, Martin Seychell comments, "There has been no blacklisting of brands. Only some batches were affected. Those batches have been identified. Other batches from the same manufacturers are not affected".

Sudan 1 is an industrial dye normally used for colouring plastics and engine oil. The dye, which has been fraudulently used to enhance the colour of food, is not listed among authorised colourants approved for use in food. Its presence in a growing list of products contravenes EU legislation.

Sudan dyes are classified as Category 3 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as to their cancer-causing hazard to humans and potential risk of genotoxicity (may react with DNA). A Category 3 carcinogen is a substance for which studies indicate a carcinogenic potential in laboratory animals.

Proven or strongly suspected human carcinogens are classified as Category 1 or 2. The extent of any effect would be proportionate to the dose consumed.

The EU Commission was aware of the threat to food safety as far back as June 2003 when a decision was taken to adopt emergency measures aimed at avoiding up-stream contamination of food products by testing raw materials. Member States were asked to test products on the market to assess the extent of the problem.

Last month the EU Commission wrote to the European Spices Association to draw their attention to the fact that, 18 months after the discovery of the problem, these dyes are still found in food. The recent wave of recalls has come about as a result of increased surveillance.

Road to Mellieha

Lack of sufficient environmental data dogs the initial environmental impact assessment for the proposed TENS-T road network with most of the damage expected in the Mellieha area. The initial impact report makes it clear that the project is at an early stage of feasibility studies. It is pointed out that a more formal environmental impact assessment may be required for certain sections given the lack of baseline information.

Areas of concern are Marfa where species-rich garigue habitat and two field systems are threatened. Extensive widening of rural tracks in order that the Manikata Road is designated as Route 1 (from Freeport to Cirkewwa) will entail a tunnel with negative effects on residents. The report released on the ADT Website last Monday predicts the road will entail significant alterations to the character of the landscape which could reduce the potential for future rural tourism activities such as walking holidays.

High-rise policy

At the beginning of the year a notice of application for development permission for a 19-storey "landmark" plus penthouse in Qawra (that's a 20-storey tower block to you and me) appeared in the newspapers. When asked about the status of several other applications for high rises MEPA refer to its plans for publication of a tall buildings policy. The proposal by AD to keep Gozo free of high rises should be included.

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