The role that biofuels play in meeting global energy demands is still evolving and many questions are being asked. Is policy rushing ahead of science? Is it ethical to consider land use for biofuels in a climate of food insecurity? Are biofuels a viable option for providing rural communities with small-scale energy?

To facilitate informed debate on this subject CABI has launched a social networking website. The Biofuels Information Exchange provides a place where experts and others interested in this field can discuss the best science and evidence.

Following a 'soft launch' in November 2008 to authors of the research papers available on the site, we are now inviting a wider audience to join the debate.

The site is free to join and acts as a hub, offering both information resources and online discussion facilities to researchers, policy makers and other interested parties.

The information resources include 35,000 research records pertinent to biofuels from the CAB Abstracts database, CABI commissioned review papers on biofuels issues and links to third party biofuels reports and books. The latest biofuels news is also fed to the site by Google hour by hour.

"Biofuels are playing a huge role in global energy policies right now and it is vital that countries have access to information and debate to help in their decision making," said Carol Ellison, the site's manager. "That is what we hope the Biofuels Information Exchange can offer its members."

For more information and to join the site go to www.cabi.org/biofuels

Contact:

Dr Carol Ellison, Biofuels Information Exchange Site Manager, tel: + 44 (0)1491 829003, email: c.ellison@cabi.org

Media contact: Sarah Wilson, PR and Corporate Communications Manager, tel: +44 (0) 1491 829 361, mob: +44 (0) 7516 928 845, email: s.wilson@cabi.org

About CABI

CABI is a not-for-profit science-based development and information organization. Its mission and direction are influenced by member countries that help guide the activities undertaken. These include publishing; development projects and research; and microbial services. CABI produces key scientific information, including CAB Abstracts – the world-renowned bibliographic database covering agriculture and the environment. CABI also publishes multimedia compendia, books, e-books and full text internet resources aiming to further science and its application to real life. Our expertise includes animal sciences, entomology, plant sciences, environmental sciences, human health, parasitology, mycology, crop protection, rural economics, rural development and leisure and tourism. For more information go to www.cabi.org

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