Delegates at the United Nations food summit in Rome, who are trying to agree a final document on how to tackle hunger caused by rising food and fuel prices, are to avoid the contentious issue of biofuels because of unbridgeable differences.

Biofuels have emerged as the greatest obstacle to an agreement at the summit, which ends today. A draft declaration seen by The Times avoids taking a clear position on biofuels. Instead it calls for "in-depth studies" of biofuels to ensure that their production and use is "sustainable". It also calls for a "coherent, effective and results-orientated international dialogue on biofuels in the context of food security and sustainable development needs". ... Read full article