Ethanol policy has become an early battleground issue in the race for the Whitehouse, with the Republican candidate John McCain arguing the market should stand on its own without government intervention, while the Democrats hopeful Barack Obama is backing further investment in renewable fuels.

In the official 2008 Republican Platform, the party has laid out a new policy on its view of ethanol support, bringing it into line with Republican candidate Sen. McCain's stance.

The new policy states that to meet global demand for food and biofuels, farmers must have the technology to grow more with fewer inputs and that the USDA must remain the international leader in ag research.

Specifically on ethanol, the policy states: "The US government should end mandates for ethanol and let the free market work."

The Republican platform also stated: "We must continue to develop alternative fuels, such as biofuels, especially cellulosic ethanol, and hasten their technological advances to next-generation production."

The position marks a major change from the 2004 platform, which supported expanding the use of ethanol as a way to reduce dependence on foreign oil and increase revenues for farmers.

The Renewable Fuels Association said: "It is inconceivable that the Republican Party would adopt a platform that limits the energy options available to the American people. Ethanol is the only technology in use today helping reduce our nation's reliance on foreign oil."

Meanwhile, after securing the Democratic Party's nomination for President, Senator Barack Obama visited Pennsylvania Biodiesel on Friday.

"America has heard Sen. Obama's commitment to investment in biofuels and the opportunity for energy independence, a cleaner environment and good paying green jobs that our industry can deliver," said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board.

"We're pleased biodiesel will play a significant role in the presidential campaign discussion.

"A strategy for helping Americans end our reliance on foreign oil should be a bipartisan goal."

Pennsylvania Biodiesel President Pat Copple said that they were eager to show Obama not only how biodiesel is produced but how it is a sustainable part of an energy solution right now.

"We hope he leaves with a strong understanding of how important continued federal support is," Copple said. "Including extension of the biodiesel tax incentive."