Potential for biofuels discussed

The Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (AIAST) will hold its annual Conference "Biofuels: From Paddock to Pump' on 19 October 2006 at the Heritage Hotel in Canberra.

Keynote address speaker, Dr Brian Keating, acting chief for CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems will explore the physical limits to biofuel production from current Australian agriculture and examine the economic/environmental barriers and benefits in the development of a significant biofuels sector.

"Biofuels are generating unprecedented interest in the media, government, urban and rural Australia as rising petrol prices bite into weekly budgets. Distinguishing hype from reality remains a big challenge," Keating said.

"I will seek to clarify what we know in terms of the potential for biofuels to become a significant component of our transport fuels mix and what remains uncertain."

AIAST national president, Charles Drew said that the meeting will identify new insights into the emerging biofuels value chain and the role of each stakeholder.

The conference features experts who will focus on the feasibility, production and end use of biofuels.

The meeting is open to anyone with an interest in the topic. A full program and a registration form can be found at AIAST.