Soil Association launches air organics debate part 2

07 March 2008

The Soil Association yesterday launched a second round consultation to decide how to implement its new policy saying organic produce must only be air-freighted if it meets ethical trade standards.

The new policy was decided on to cut the environmental impact of imports, and now people involved  in the whole food supply chain have the opportunity to comment on the implementation of this recommendation and ensure it is practical and fit for purpose.

There has been lively debate on this area since last May, when the Soil Association , which certifies 70 per cent of organic food in the UK, published a discussion document on possible approaches to curbing the effects.

While carbon emissions is a contradictory side effect of an industry largely driven by green considerations, care must be taken not to damage the livelihoods of farmers who rely on exporting their organic produce.

"Organic production is all about sustainability and the balance this implies between social, environmental and economic objectives," said Anna Bradley, chair of the Soil Association's Standards Board.

"By addressing concerns over air freight in our standards, we aim to make it easier for consumers to make informed and sustainable choices, allowing poor farmers in developing countries achieve the social and environmental benefits of organic production along with the economic benefits achieved by selling in developed country markets."

Ethical considerations

The Soil Association's first round consultation lasted four months, and brought together responses from the public, NGOs, industry, government bodies and international agencies.

The group now calls for a response before 30 May on the logistics of requiring organic produce to meet the Fairtrade Foundation's standards or the organisation's own Ethical Trade standards to be air-freighted .

The latter applies to the whole supply chain and requires fair trading arrangements, ethical employment relationships including fair pay and concrete social and cultural contributions to the local community of society more widely.

The Soil Association said: "Being able to demonstrate compliance with Ethical Trade standards offers an effective marketing tool for air freighting businesses in the face of criticism over their carbon footprint."

Source:
www.foodproductiondaily.co m