The November 2011 edition of AEFJN's Forum for Action is now online. It contains articles on the ethical responsibility of the Church on the climate issue, on the clean up of the Ogoniland oil spills, which will take decades, on the spread of Libyan arms in the Sahel, on the production of medicines in Africa and on the EU's attempt to force African countries to sign EPAs.
The national election campaign officially started the 28th October in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), exactly one month ahead of historic presidential and legislative elections, scheduled for November 28 2011. 41 humanitarian and human rights organizations, among them AEFJN, have expressed concern about the high political tension and deteriorating security situation. They have called upon all Congolese and international actors involved to take urgent measures to prevent electoral violence, better protect civilians and ensure credible, free and fair elections.France should phase out current tax breaks for agrofuels
The Court of Accounts refers to the precautionary principle and recommends "the end of subsidies supporting the production." It argues that these fuels brought hidden costs for motorists. Consumers pay higher prices for blended fuel because of 3 reasons: the lower energy performance of agrofuels (meaning drivers have to consume more per kilometre), the higher cost of making agrofuels compared to traditional fuels and the transfer to the public in pump prices of penalties imposed on fuel distributors for polluting activities.
Additionally agrofuels offer modest energy gains and unclear environmental advantages. As investments in agrofuel production are now mostly paid off, the French government intends to change of strategy. The authorities could help the agrofuel sector by pushing for stricter EU controls against unfair import competition. The agrofuel industry has been quick to respond to the removal of its tax advantage.