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Environmental savings of buying local and organic food
A new report has calculated the potential environmental savings of buying local and organic food. "The most political act we do on a daily basis is to eat, as our actions affect farms, landscapes and food businesses. Food miles are more significant than we previously thought, and much now needs to be done to encourage local production and consumption of food" said co-author Professor Jules Pretty, from the University of Essex, UK. Professor Pretty and his colleague Tim Lang, from City University, painstakingly estimated the environmental price tag on each stage of the food production process. The authors calculated that if all foods were sourced from within 20km of where they were consumed, environmental and congestion costs would fall from more than £2.3bn to under £230m - an "environmental saving" of £2.1bn annually. They pointed out that organic methods can also make an important
contribution. If all farms in the UK were to turn organic, then the country
would save £1.1bn of environmental costs each year. Consumers can save a further £100m in environmental costs, the authors claim, if they cycle, walk or catch the bus to the shops rather than drive.
Call for better country of origin labelling
A new report commissioned by the National Beef Association and the Tenant Farmers Association is calling for better country of origin labelling. It says that retailers are still allowed to label Thai chicken and Brazilian beef as British if they undergo final processing here. "This is despite growing consumer interest in provenance, which is linked to a perception of higher animal welfare, environmental and food safety standards in the UK as well as a positive desire to buy British," the report says. "Clear, mandatory country-of-origin labelling would benefit British farmers by enabling them to promote their higher quality produce and premium price." more...
Farms for the Future Forum for the Future recently published a report, Farms for the Future, which presents the findings of in-depth sustainability reviews of ten farms. Called the Forum Farm Network, these farms represent a cross-section of the industry - from family run hill farms to large-scale arable farms. The report assesses the different apporaches being taken to acheive sustainable livelihoods from managing the land - initiatives include turning waste cooking oil into biodiesel; generating revenue from composting and using waste from coffee grounds. To download the report summary...
A printed copyof the full report can be ordered by telephone: 01242 262400 or email
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Paul Davis,
MP Parmjit Dhanda, Councillor Phil McLellan and Clare Gerbrands
(Market Organiser)
Rick Stein and Matthew Fort search out Food
Heros at Stroud Farmers' Market.
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