Yay or Nay: Should we ban imported organic food?
We first mentioned it back in February, but the debate on whether a ban should be placed on imported organic food hit the headlines again yesterday with Trade Minister - Gareth Thomas - saying it would be "disastrous" for thousands of farmers. He was speaking at a London seminar organised to discuss the proposed removal of Soil Association certification on organic food which was been flown in. This follows growing concern from consumers about the impact it has on climate change. The options up for discussion are no action, labelling, or the phasing in of a ban. The idea of an outright ban has also been criticised by the International Trade Centre - a UN and WTO agency- as it would financially affect farmers and exporters in third world countries.
[via The Guardian]
Mr Thomas said today: "Food miles alone, or the distance food has travelled, is not the best way to judge whether the food we eat is sustainable. Driving six and a half miles to buy your shopping emits more carbon than flying a pack of Kenyan green beans to the UK".
Early figures suggest that in Kenya and Ghana over 2,500 workers could lose their jobs as a result of any such restrictions, not to mention 15,000 dependants. Alexander Kasterine, an ITC expert on trade and the environment, said: "Organic certification has been hugely successful in reducing poverty for thousands of African farming families. A ban on air-freighted products could be catastrophic for them, while making no contribution to mitigating climate change."
So, what do you think? Should we ban all imported organic food and just forget about the jobs losses overseas? Should the Soil Association certification be removed on these products as they have been flown for thousands of miles before they reach our tables? Let us know your views.
