We all know that air travel is the fastest-growing source of carbon emissions, so should the Soil Association try and discourage bringing organic vegetables to the uk by air? Or even refuse to grant anything air freighted organic status? If so, what about the African farmers just starting to make a living selling the organic green beans flown in to the UK?
At Riverford we have never air freighted anything, but we know it’s a complex issue and there’s an interesting consultation document on the Soil Association website
As Anna Bradley, Chair of the Soil Association Standards Board says: “as awareness of climate change has grown, concerns have been raised about the damage caused to the environment by air freight.
However, when reducing our impact on the world’s climate, we must carefully consider the social and economic benefits of air freight for international development and growth of the organic market as a whole.”
3 responses so far ↓
Nadine Hengen // August 22, 2007 at 6:27 pm
This topic seems to come up regularly. I still believe that we have to look at the detailed CO2 footprint of each option, and choose the lesser one. If it turns out the CO2 emitted by the aircraft is overall less than that produced by heating of politunnels, refridgeration and the lorry from spain, then fly it in…
Of course I know that it is very difficult to figure out the exact CO2 footprint for each choice.
Gilly Brewer // March 16, 2008 at 10:33 am
We should address the problem of cheap holiday flights first.Hopping on yet another cheap flight for yet another ’short break’ has become the norm as has the fashion for two or three holidays a year, all taking flights. Paying the real cost of these flights as well as paying a proper price for our food, wherever it’s from, is what we should be doing.
rebecca ross // April 4, 2008 at 10:48 pm
It has been argued that growers in poorer countries would do better to grow for themselves instead of using all their resources to feed us. If we must import goods we should choose the least damaging option. The really worrying thought is that those aeroplanes dont go back empty. These countries are in debt buying arms from us!
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