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08/06/06
On the day a delegation of business leaders, including Tesco
executives, meet the Prime Minister to discuss climate change
issues, Scotland’s farming u nion
has reminded the major supermarkets that they can play their
part by backing local food.
With increasing concern over ‘food miles’ and the
environmental damaged caused by importing food into the UK
from around the world, NFU Scotland believes that by
supporting home-grown food and drink, instead of foreign
imports, the major supermarkets can cut carbon dioxide
emissions dramatically.
NFUS Vice President Jim McLaren said:
“Tesco’s commitment to doing its part for the environment is
welcome. However, the major supermarkets must remember that
they can play a huge role in cutting unnecessary, but highly
damaging, emissions by
buying local. A combination of high
quality local food and increasing consumer demand for home
grown produce presents a real opportunity for supermarkets to
lead the fight against climate change.
“We will always have to import certain foods, however it makes
no sense to import beef from halfway round the world and burn
fossil fuel in the process when we produce quality beef to the
highest standards on supermarkets’ doorsteps.
“We know from speaking to suppliers that they are facing
massive financial pressure as a result of the supermarkets’
willingness to source cheap imports. The implications of that
in terms of lost jobs, reduced domestic food production and
increased environmental damage are clear.
“Not only do we have concerns over the environmental standards
of production abroad, particularly in countries like Brazil,
but the importation of food that we can produce in this
country unnecessarily pumps million of tonnes of carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere.
“We are becoming a nation overly-reliant on imported food.
That carries a massive environmental cost which is easily
alleviated if both government and supermarkets have the will
to do so.”
Food miles are the measurement of the distance food travels
between farm gate and plate.
The tonnage of food travelling by air has increased by 140%
since 1992.
For the UK, the value of food imports over exports has doubled
in seven years, reaching £12.3 billion in 2004.
(Source: Farmers Weekly. NFUS is backing Farmers Weekly’ food
miles campaign). |
Integrating
with the local community: barbeque organised by the local church and Well
Pict Scotland
