"soil association" news and stories

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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The UK's Soil Association, which opposes the use of hormones in farming, is calling for a comprehensive testing programme of all imported beef. They wish to ensure that all beef sold in the UK is (growth) hormone free.

The cite a report put out by Danish scientists that indicates that growth hormone residues may be more damaging to babies and children than previously thought.

They are certianly attempting to look after the UK consumer as the testing programme call follows one just last month that requested the ban on the use of Aspartame following health concerns thrown up by Italian researchers.

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