"imported" news and stories

If UK's Soil Association has its way, there might be a ban on organic foods imported into the UK. At the very least, the Soil Association would want those foods that are allowed in the UK to be stripped of their "organic" label.

The concern arises because the organic foods are brought into Britain via carbon-emitting flights. The demand for organic foods is rising much faster than UK farmers' ability to supply it. However, increasing the number of flights into the UK with organic foods from elsewhere means that there will be an increase in greenhouse warming.

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The UK's Soil Association has just put forward a proposal to exclude any foods imported by air from using the "organic" label on their products. In theory, the proposal is based around the "food miles" theory, which states that the nearer to the point of sale that food is grown, the better for the environment it is. The theory assumes that emissions from airplanes and long-haul trucks will be greater than any of the pollutants that result from shorter journeys. There are many situations in which the theory does hold up, but by and large, it has been debunked, so even though it is given as the primary reason for this suggested policy change, the real motivation is simply money.

The demand for organics is very high. Stores can charge more for organics, as can growers. By effectively prohibiting imports in a country where the farmland is so limited (compared to some other countries, such as New Zealand, Chile and the US), the Soil Association is simply driving high prices even higher. Such a move may support local farms, but unless their production is able to match demand, consumers are really going to feel the effects of a change like this one.

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If you have ever been to Australia or known someone who has been/lived there, you probably know what a Tim Tam is. It is a biscuit ("cookie") made by Arnott's that is widely regarded as one of the best things you can get down under. Unfortunately, the only place you can find them is Australia and a few very select importers, ones who actually import from countries other than England. But this weekend, in what I'm hoping is the start of wider availability, I found Tim Tams for sale at Cost Plus World Market.

You'll notice that the packaging doesn't actually say "Tim Tam" on it, but the picture of the biscuit (not to mention the one inside!) is unmistakable: a chocolate covered sandwich of light, crisp wafers and a unique, chocolate cream filling. Of course, mere description can't capture the caramel, vanilla and butter notes of the trip-chocolate biscuit, but at least it's a start.

I hope that I'll be able to find Tim Tams with more regularity, rather than relying on my Aussie friends to ship them to me. In the meantime, I'll practice my Tim Tam slam (even though I prefer it with a coffee instead of tea, which Niki used).