Luxembourg  - Italy on Friday called on the European Commission to revise its biofuels targets in view of rising fuel prices.

"The (EU) should revise its objective in light of what is happening with food prices, which can no longer be ignored," said Italian Energy Minister Claudio Scajola on the sidelines of an EU meeting in Luxembourg.

In March 2007 the EU's member states agreed to derive 10 per cent of the bloc's fuel needs from plant-based sources by 2020.

The target was part of a package of measures aimed at reducing Europe's reliance on energy imports and fighting global warming.

That deal was signed by the former Italian government of Romano Prodi, which has since given way to a conservative administration headed by Silvio Berlusconi.

Scajola on Friday argued that the target was "unrealistic", saying none of the experts he had met believed the 10 per cent target could be achieved.

Moves to encourage biofuels have been strongly criticized by environmental campaigners, who say it has helped push up food prices as farmers plant fuel crops rather than grain.

The commission says its 10 per cent target will take account of any damage to the environment or to social conditions. (dpa)