The National Council of Chain Restaurants has joined the
meat industry in the United States in opposing continuation of the mandatory
blending of ethanol with gasoline.
The council commissioned a study that indicates the ethanol
mandate is costing the restaurant owners $3.2 billion a year because it
increases the cost of corn and related foods.
“The use of corn-based ethanol required by the federal Renewable Fuel
Standard mandate has dramatically distorted the market and increased costs
throughout the food supply chain,” said NCCR Executive Director Rob Green.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently said after reviewing
the policy that it won’t change the mandates which are scheduled to increase to
at least 15 per cent ethanol in gasoline.
Canada’s basic standard is five per cent ethanol and there has been
nothing as strident as the U.S. lobby against ethanol in Canada.
