A HAMPSTEAD woman has accused the government of cobbling together its fuel policy with a fruity protest outside parliament. Anna Williamson, 25 from Back Lane, took part in a demonstration last Monday for Oxfam – dressed as a giant corn on the cob. The ch

A HAMPSTEAD woman has accused the government of cobbling together its fuel policy with a fruity protest outside parliament.

Anna Williamson, 25 from Back Lane, took part in a demonstration last Monday for Oxfam - dressed as a giant corn on the cob.

The charity is arguing that the government needs to be more cautious in its use of biofuels, which are in part made from crops like corn and sugar.

The charity rejects government claims that the fuels are environmentally friendly, arguing that by buying up crops for use in the petrol alternative we are driving up food prices in poorer countries.

"This policy impacts on people in the developing world and there is research that biofuels increase the rate of climate change," said Ms Williamson.

"They add to the global food crisis as developers farm crops for fuel, because it makes them more money - rather than to sell for food."

The protest coincided with a change in regulation that ensures all UK fuel is in part biofuel.

Ms Williamson added: "It is outrageous that the government is forcing compulsory use of biofuels onto the British public without full evidence of their impact.

"It's like treating a patient with an untested medicine that could make them even more unwell.