A number of South American leaders have issued warnings over the production of biofuel. Speaking in the New York the Bolivian President Evo Morales said that the production of biofuel will harm the world poorest people.

Opening a UN forum on the global impact of climate change on indigenous peoples, Mr Morales said that capitalism should be scrapped if the planet is to be saved from the effects of climate change. "If we want to save our planet earth, we have a duty to put an end to the capitalist system," he said.

Campaigners say providing a renewable alternative for conventional fuels can help stop global warming. But as food prices climb worldwide, there is a fear that development of biofuels could reduce the production of badly-needed basic foodstuffs. The EU has come under criticism for its target of getting 10% of road transport fuel from crops by 2020.

Meanwhile UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is hosting a meeting to discuss European policy encouraging biofuels. Ahead of the meeting, Mr Brown said that the UK should be "more selective in our support" for biofuels.