New Poll Finds 76% of Americans Want Ethanol Law Changed; Voters in the Farm Belt Favor Eliminating or Reducing Corn Ethanol

GrainNet.com
Date Posted: Jun. 10, 2008

WASHINGTON—Most Americans, including those in the Farm Belt, want Congress to reduce or eliminate the corn ethanol mandate, according to a new poll released June 10 by the National Center for Public Policy Research.

The poll, published by the Public Opinion and Policy Center of the National Center for Public Policy Research, found that 41% of Americans want Congress to repeal the corn ethanol mandate entirely, while 35% want Congress to repeal the law it passed last December to double it. Just 6% want the mandate to increase as planned while 5% want it to be even expanded further.

"With grocery prices up 1.5% in April alone, or 18% on an annualized basis, Americans aren't in the mood for anything that would push food prices up even further," said David A. Ridenour, vice president of the National Center for Public Policy Research. "While there are multiple reasons for food price increases, diverting one-third of the U.S. corn crop to produce fuel rather than food is a significant factor and the American people know it."

The survey found a majority in the Farm Belt want Congress to change the ethanol policy. Twenty-five percent want it repealed entirely while 30% want it reduced.

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