Milling & Baking News - December 8, 2015 - 35

Washington

blends despite the fact that most cars cannot use them. Mo- component of the rural economy and necessary to achieving our full potential of producing the next generation of
torists have largely rejected these fuels."
Mr. Gerard said the A.P.I. sought a final ethanol mandate domestic biofuels. Today's announcement isn't everything
of no more than 9.7% of gasoline demand as opposed to the we wanted, but is an improvement on the disastrous proposed rule (the E.P.A.'s proposed
10.1% in the final rule.
rule issued in May had lower
"Today's announcement makes
'We are glad to see
volume requirements than those
clear that, in order to protect conthe volumes for
contained in the final rule). The
sumers, Congress must step in to
administration deserves credit for
repeal or significantly reform the
biomass-based diesel
listening to our concerns and now
R.F.S.," Mr. Gerard said.
increased above the
needs to immediately start work
The American Soybean Assoproposed rule and
on the numbers and get the prociation said while the volumes in
gram back on track."
the final rule do not fully capitalprevious proposals.'
Congressional critics of the
ize on the capacity and growth
- Wade Cowan, American Soybean Association
R.F.S. issued a strong rebuke to
potential of U.S. biodiesel, it does
the E.P.A. In a joint statement,
provide a step in the right direction. Soybean oil accounts for about half the feedstock used Representative Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, a former chairman of the agriculture committee, and Representatives Pein the manufacture of biodiesel.
Wade Cowan, president of the A.S.A., said, "We are ter Welch of Vermont, Steve Womack of Arkansas and Jim
glad to see the volumes for biomass-based diesel in- Costa of California, said, "The E.P.A.'s decision to funnel
creased above the proposed rule and previous proposals. more ethanol into the fuel supply is terribly disappointing.
Biodiesel provides significant economic and environmen- The R.F.S. requirements announced today will push ethanol
tal benefits, and we have the capacity to do more. The ad- volumes beyond the blend wall in 2016, leaving American
ministration wants to address climate change and reduce consumers and our economy to feel the negative effects."
The representatives are sponsors of the R.F.S. Reform
greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiesel can contribute
Act, which would eliminate corn-based ethanol requiremore to that effort."
On Capitol Hill, Representative Collin Peterson of Min- ments, cap the amount of ethanol that may be blended into
nesota, ranking member on the House Committee on Ag- conventional gasoline at 10%, and require the E.P.A. to set
riculture, said, "A strong biofuels industry is an essential cellulosic biofuels levels at production levels. MBN

Study: Europe should consider
mandating folic acid fortification
LONDON - Mandatory fortification of food staples with
folic acid should be considered in Europe for the prevention of neural tube defects, according to a study appearing
Nov. 24 in the BMJ. Recommendations and voluntary fortification failed to significantly decrease neural tube defects
in Europe over a 20-year period, according to the study.
"Our data suggest that recommendations, voluntary
fortification, or both have not been effective in decreasing
the prevalence of N.T.D. in Europe," the researchers said.
"Hence, policies for mandatory fortification of food staples
with folic acid should be considered as an important and
more effective means for prevention of N.T.D., while weighing the evidence for its proven benefits and possible risks."
The researchers used data from 28 EUROCAT (European
Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies) registries covering about 12.5 million births in 19 countries between 1991
and 2011. They found 11,353 cases of neural tube defects
not associated with chromosomal anomalies. The pooled
total prevalence of N.T.D. was 9.1 per 10,000 births. Prevalence fluctuated slightly but without an obvious downward
trend. There was an annual increase of 4% in 1995-99 and a
decrease of 3% per year in 1999-2003. Stable rates followed
thereafter. The final estimate of the pooled total prevalence
of N.T.D. in 2011 was similar to the estimate in 1991.
The researchers said "convincing evidence" show folic
acid supplementation substantially may decrease N.T.D.
prevalence. The European Public Health Commission
funded the study.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandated folic acid fortification of enriched grains in 1998. Since then,
the rate of neural tube defects in the United States has decreased by 38%. MBN
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