(STRASBOURG) - The European Parliament on Thursday called on the EU to set up "food stocks" to avert future crises.

In a non-binding resolution, euro deputies stressed that current EU cereal stocks would last only 30 days and questioned whether European food stocks "are at the right level, especially in view of possible crises".

They therefore called on the European Commission "to develop strategies to set up food stocks to prevent future crises".

The parliament called for an "impact assessment of the role of retailers in the food chain, as retail food prices have risen disproportionately compared with the cost of living."

The MEPs called on retailers "to pass on a fair price to producers, while at the same time providing consumers with reasonably priced food."

The resolution stressed that priority should be given to the production of food over biofuels, which EU nations have agreed should make up 10 percent of vehicle fuels by 2020.

"Biofuel production should be linked to strong sustainability criteria," the MEPs agreed.

Current biofuels have been criticised for diverting land from production of food for people and animals and for accelerating deforestation.

The 27 EU member states are seeking to define social and environmental criteria for biofuels to help address the problem.

Text and Picture Copyright 2008 AFP. All other Copyright 2008 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.