WASHINGTON—High food prices and tough economic times are making it easier to sell arguments against subsidies supporting the U.S. ethanol industry, a coalition of ethanol opponents said Nov. 18. However, officials from a group of livestock producers, food companies, environmental groups and tax reform advocates said it will be an uphill battle to push for lower tariffs and tax incentives on the gas additive, made mainly from corn.
"No one here believes that Congress or the administration are going to come up, roll up their sleeves, and say (we're) reforming ethanol in the first 100 days after President-elect Barack Obama is sworn in,” Joel Brandenberger, president of the National Turkey Federation, said. "We think the message is getting out there, and I think they're more willing to listen and respond."
