11/09/06 Europeans invest in Idaho research

Gibraltar-based Eco-Energy has agreed to give the University of Idaho two million dollars to increase research into oilseed crops that can supply the feedstock for biodiesel and others fuels. Eco-Energy's Chief Executive Ian Rosenblatt says the university's three decades of biodiesel research brought his company to Idaho with the hope that crops can be developed to grow anywhere in the world. ROSENBLATT "A crop which will grow in all climatic conditions, has a high oil yield and the key to a standard of quality." Rosenblatt believes plants could supply places like Gibraltar with all its fuel needs, with no reliance of fossil fuels. For U of I plant breeder Jack Brown the research funding will pay for five staff members and the addition of a half dozen grad and undergraduate assistants. BROWN "Travel involved. There will be testing involved around the world in many target countries so we will be sending materials to the European Union. We'll be sending materials to North Africa, South American for agronomic testing, for adaptability Eco-Energy will have no US rights to the cultivars developed in Idaho but they will have the option to commercialize some of them outside the US. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott