WIIT Event: International Trade and Emerging Biofuels Market
On February 27, 2007, the Agriculture section hosted a brown bag lunch on international trade and biofuels. The event was a tremendous success with over 40 international trade professionals attending the timely discussion. The threat of global warming, high oil prices and concerns about energy security have all contributed to a renewed global interest in biofuels as an alternative to oil for transport.
The lunch was held at
the DC offices of Steptoe & Johnson, a leading international trade law
firm.The featured speakers included Scott Hughes, the Director of the National
Biodiesel Board (NBB), Riley Scott, Legislative Assistant to Senator Brownback
(R-KS) and Dave Lazarus, Legislative Assistant to Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL).
Scott Hughes discussed the drivers of the biodiesel industry and the industry's
growth potential. He outlined some of the key trade challenges affecting the
industry such as differential export taxes (DETs) and the practice of re-exporting
biodiesel to capitalize on the tax credit.
Riley Scott reflected on the strong bipartisan support for biofuels in Congress. He further discussed Senator Brownback's interest in the industry's contribution to rural development and energy security along with the senator's interest in the development of cellulostic biofuels.
David Lazarus also provided candid remarks about congressional initiatives regarding biofuels. He spoke about public policy bottlenecks, trade issues and the next steps on biofuels in Congress and at the WTO. For further information about upcoming WIIT Agriculture section events, please watch for upcoming announcements posted on the WIIT events page.
Submitted by S. Eleanor
Musarurwa, WIIT Co -Chair Agriculture Section