National Corn Growers Association President Bart Schott released the following statement in response to Former President Bill Clinton’s speech today at the Ag Outlook Forum regarding ethanol production:

“Every year, America’s farmers produce more than enough corn to meet all the needs of the expanding markets of feed, fuel and food both in the United States and across the world and the ethanol industry is not an exception.  The U.S. ethanol industry uses only three percent of the increasing global grain supply and is expected to return 1.2 billion bushels of corn livestock feed in the form of dried distillers grains and corn gluten feed this year alone.

“New reports show that the rising cost of oil, not ethanol production, is a major cause of increased food prices.  With the continuing unrest in the Middle East and Northern Africa, it is imperative that we continue to support a home-grown fuel industry that helps keep our country safe and creates jobs.  The American farmer is very aware of the world’s rising demand for corn, and we will continue to meet those needs.”