Biofuel worse for climate than fossil fuel - study

(Embargoed for release at 2301 GMT November 7)

* Analysis of EU biofuels shows negative climate impact

* Industry says new science is insufficiently robust

* EU Commission says will change policy if needed

By Pete Harrison

BRUSSELS, Nov 8 (Reuters) - European plans to promote biofuels will drive farmers to convert 69,000 square km of wild land into fields and plantations, depriving the poor of food and accelerating climate change, a report warned on Monday.

The impact equates to an area the size of the Republic of Ireland.

As a result, the extra biofuels that Europe will use over the next decade will generate between 81 and 167 percent more carbon dioxide than fossil fuels, says the report.