As pork prices soar, Chinese put brakes on corn for ethanol

Precious resource: With a famine only 50 years in the past, Chinese are wary about using food – such as this corn harvested in Heilongjiang Province – for biofuel.

With a famine less than 50 years in its past, China remains sensitive about using food for fuel.

By Peter Ford | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

Reporters on the job: Peter Ford shares the story behind the story.

John Nordell – Staff

Beijing - Ethanol production has put the Chinese government in an unpleasant bind, as fears rise that the environmentally friendly gasoline additive is also fueling politically dangerous increases in the price of food – particularly pork, a key staple. continue...