The Soil Association is asking ‘Should we tackle the environmental impact of air freight in its organic standards?’ This issue was raised at the Cirencester conference and received overwhelming support from the producers present. Subsequently concerns have been raised by some development agencies and the Kenyan government on the impact this could have on producers in developing countries.
The Soil Association would like your views on the issues outlined in their green paper. The paper gives an overview of air freight as part of our food supply system and explores the social and environmental challenges surrounding this debate. At the end of the paper are some options for addressing air freight through the Soil Association organic standards with risks and benefits for each one. Submissions are welcomed using the online form on the website - www.soilassociation.org/airfreight. Please respond by the 28th September 2007.
A key part of the consultation will be the Soil Association’s Air Freight Summit on the 17th July in London. This will involve seminars for businesses, organisations and other interested parties to discuss the green paper and the options for addressing air freight. If you are interested in being a part of the discussions please email the Soil Association. They intend to try and accommodate all those that are interested but be aware that space for these seminars is limited.