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New study disputes land use change theory

A new study shows little or no correlation between land use changes and biofuels.

Researchers at Michigan State University used historical data on U.S. croplands, commodity grain exports and land use trends to see if there was a link between indirect land use change and biofuels expansion through 2007. 

They concluded that U.S. biofuel production has not provoked indirect land use change, saying crop intensification may have absorbed the effects of expanding biofuels production.  And their report suggests cropland expansion in other countries isn’t correlated to U.S. biofuels demand for certain feedstocks.

The National Corn Growers Association and Renewable Fuels Association lauded the study. As  NCGA president Bart Schott puts it, “It’s time for flat-earth ethanol opponents to back off on land use change.”

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