Ethanol Drives Mexican Farmers from Tequila to Corn

[LeighAnn]

From the CSMonitor via TV7-4.com (WPBN Traverse City/Cadillac, MI)

<snip>

Still, about one-quarter of those who grow agave, which is used in the production of tequila, are expected to burn their fields to make way for corn, as prices have nearly doubled from what they were a year ago, due to US ethanol demand.

Agave is not the only casualty of the corn-based ethanol craze. Mexican beans, potatoes, rice, and barley have all been mowed over for corn, a crop whose origins reside in ancient Mexican lore but has long been associated with poverty: corn farmers who can't compete and head north, Mexicans who can afford nothing but.

<snip>

For some it could not come at a better time: under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) tariffs for corn and beans will disappear altogether next year. Demand for corn has alleviated some of those concerns.

But it has also pushed up prices for a Mexican food staple. Earlier this year corn tortilla prices doubled in some parts of the country, fueling protests and concerns for the 50 million poor Mexicans who depend on tortillas for the majority of their daily caloric intake.

http://tv7-4.com/Global/story.asp?S=6832678

[xultar]

1. This is some shit we need to be protestn' OMFG. PROTEST!!! PROTEST!!!

[Double T]

2. If we powered our vehicles with tequila, wouldn't that reduce our........

dependency on foreign oil?