Sir, Regarding the interview ‘EABA: Promises and challenges of algae biofuels‘: We have produced micro-algae for the last 40 years or so – commercially as a part of aquaculture production processes. As such, we probably have a better understanding of algae as economic crop for lipids – either as food or fuel – than most [...]

Sir, Regarding your LinksDossier ‘Algae: the ultimate biofuel‘ and interview ‘EABA: Promises and challenges of algae biofuels‘: There are more issues than just costs (which are mentioned in the interview). There is doubts about the net energy balance (energy needed to get the energy out) and serious concerns about the environment. For some of the [...]

Sir, Regarding ‘Commission to launch European Research Council review‘: I just became aware of the establishment by the European Commission of a Review Panel on the European Research Council’s structures and mechanisms. I learned that the Panel is consulting with representative research organisations in Europe and has asked for inputs, with a deadline of 24 [...]

Sir, Regarding ‘Canada vows to challenge EU seal products ban‘: This cooperation with Canada is inhuman indeed. I think that a large-scale debate should be initiated, to see if there is genuine demand for such products on the market. I myself would never buy any products made from seals. I agree with reasonable hunting, meaning [...]

Sir, Regarding ‘Hedge funds seek allies in new EU Parliament‘: The EU president (created by the Lisbon Treaty) should be given a veto over decisions reached by qualified majority voting (QMV) in the Council. The way in which QMV functions presently is deeply undemocratic. States with nothing but an academic interest in an issue can [...]

Sir, I read Mr. Watkinson’s letter to you entitled ‘Settling in Bulgaria‘ and I think I can provide a reasonable insider’s explanation to the reported problem. As a German who is married to a Bulgarian, I know very well of this problem, which arose shortly before the accession of Bulgaria to the EU and has [...]

Sir, Regarding ‘Economics vs The Renewables Bigger Picture‘: Negotiations on climate change mitigation measures were a highlight at this year’s G8 summit in Italy [1] [2]. The president of the Commission of the European Communities (alias the European Commission, EC) José Manuel Barroso is even quoted as saying he would “stress the importance of the [...]

Sir, Regarding ‘Centre-right sweeps to victory in Bulgarian elections‘: My family and four other families are trying to have holidays in Bulgaria, and have bought property there. We come out twice per year and spend our money there, and in response to this our properties are constantly damaged, meaning every time we arrive we have [...]

Sir, Regarding ‘No ‘one size fits all’ for EU power linkage’, experts say‘: The apparent disagreement between François Meslier of EDF and the French regulator concerning the need (or lack thereof) for improved cross border connections misses a few important points. The recent DG TREN infringement proceedings against 24 member states with respect to cross-border [...]

Sir, Regarding ‘EU mulls €7bn subsidy for carbon capture‘: Is heralding the move towards large scale programmes in particular those for CCS (carbon capture and storage) and the very large organisations who are proffering these the right approach? One of the major hypotheses promoted for CCS is the transference of oxidised carbon (namely – carbon [...]