Breadcrumbs
Eat the View News Update (07/03/05)
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. Source: Journal for Food Policy
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."
Local timber, a viable resource
Products made from local timber can help to offer a viable future for parts of the countryside in and around towns, according to a research project funded by the Countryside Agency. The Timber Stations project in the Mersey and Red Rose Forests set out to discover what products could be made locally-sourced timber - and assess if these are economically viable. The number of products being made came to 17 in three categories, made from generally waste virgin timber from commercial operations. The project has shown it is possible to produce quality, saleable products from locally-sourced, low quality timber, and 'in many cases viable and sometimes potentially profitable'. To download the main report go to: www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/Landscape/ETV/research/marketres.asp
Guide to understanding foodservice opportunities for farmers and small food producers
IGD in association with seven of the largest UK foodservice companies, including ARAMARK, Brakes, Compass, Mitchells & Butlers, Sodexho, Whitbread and 3663 First for Foodservice is launching a new, free guide for domestic suppliers. The guide will give domestic food producers and processors a clearer picture of the foodservice market and the challenges and opportunities for supplying into foodservice
Planning guide for small rural businesses
The Countryside Agency’s Economies team has joined forces with Planning Aid (the voluntary arm of Royal Town Planning Institute) to produce a practical resource pack to help small business owners deal with a range of planning related issues. See: www.countryside.gov.uk/WhoWeAreAndWhatWeDo/guide.asp.
Red tractor to carry Union Jack
The Red Tractor logo is to be redesigned to include the Union Jack, to be launched on 5 April. "The new logo is not changing, but the plan is that it will incorporate the Union Jack flag in order to clear up any confusion of country of origin, as the logo does not appear on any imported produce" said an Assured Food Standards spokesman. Source: Farmers Guardian.
EVENTS
1- 3 April, Lancashire Food Festival
See: www.lancashirefoodfestival.co.uk
10 - 17 April, Spring FEAST, Settle and the Three Peaks area of the Southern Dales
A week long celebration of all that is great about local produce.
30 April - 2 May, Dales Festival of Food and Drink
Celebrating the local food, drink and farming of the region. See: www.dalesfestivaloffood.org/index.htm
