05/02/08 Taking the Blame & Solutions

Taking the Blame & Solutions. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. Ethanol is taking the blame for rising food costs. And consumers are being reminded of that allegation in many ways, including billboards and signs at grocery store checkouts. At many checkouts grocers are saying don't blame me. American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman says: STALLMAN: Farm Bureau analysis into the cost of food production and marketing shows that the cost of petroleum based energy is clearly the number one factor driving domestic food prices. 44% is due to the cost of energy. This means energy sources such as natural gas, oil and gasoline. This does not mean renewable energy like ethanol. But ethanol is not the culprit that American consumers are being led to believe. Biofuels are just a small factor in the many forces at play. Washington Congressman Doc Hastings says now is the time to start tapping into our own domestic oil reserves. HASTINGS: I've been talking for some time that we need to expand our domestic production where we know we have proven reserves like for example in Alaska and like for example off the shores of the Atlantic Ocean but nothing has happened. When I go down on the floor and talk about this as I have the last couple of weeks, the other side just stands up and point fingers. I think the American people would like solutions. Now here's today's Washington Grange Report. (GRANGE) That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.