The MNPexamined the consequences of a European Commission directive, published in January, which seeks to set a 10% targets for biofuels on member states.

Under the plans, the use of renewable energies like biomass, wind and solar power will rise to 20 percent of all energy forms. Biofuels will also have to make up 10 percent of fuels used for transport.

‘Since existing techniques for biofuels are based on food crops such as grain, maize, sugar beet and palm oil, the EU biofuel target of 10% will lead to an increase in food prices,’ said the MNP report.

It stressed that food importing countries, like many in Africa, would be hardest hit.

The organisation also said that the production of biofuels in Europe requires more land and could threaten biodiversity.

Biofuels ‘are not always the best option from an ecological point of view’ the report concluded and suggested instead that the EU to consider developing other technologies for sustainable transport like hydrogen-powered or electric cars.

The advantages of using biomass to generate electricity are far greater than the environmental benefits envisaged in the EU’s proposal to cut greenhouse gases by using biofuels for transport, the report said.