Madam, - Mary Fitzgerald is right to highlight the risk biofuel plays when it comes to feeding the poor ("Dash to biofuels a risk to poor", World News, April 17th).
It is ridiculous that we are prepared to take an item like maize, the staple food for many of the world's most vulnerable people, and turn it into fuel to quench our insatiable thirst for cars.
It is morally unacceptable that we are putting the threat of climate change ahead of our duty to make sure that every person goes to sleep with some food in their bellies.
Of course, the current global food crisis is not helped by corrupt leaders such as Robert Mugabe, who has turned Zimbabwe from one of the most plentiful countries in Africa into a crisis zone with his land redistribution policies.
Because he was more interested in lining the pockets of the rogues gallery supporting him than in providing for his own people, millions are facing an uncertain future. It is only when accountable, transparent leaders are in office that we will see real development in Africa. - Yours, etc,
JOHN O'SHEA, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.