Comment on the Government's Food 2030 report

05 January 2010

Responding to the Government's Food 2030 report Emma Hockridge, Soil Association policy manager, said:

"Food and farming can play a critical role in improving the nation’s health, and helping in the fight against climate change. With the UK Government signed up to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, we urgently need to address the contribution our farming systems can make to meet this target.

"Intensive farming systems are reliant on high oil and chemical inputs, which are neither sustainable nor resilient to likely future shocks, such as global price rises. The solution lies in sustainable mixed and agro-ecological farming, and encouraging citizens to eat locally, seasonally and organically.

"Consumers are feeling increasingly confused by the proliferation of diet-related advice doled out by Government Departments. The current debate about meat encapsulates this. Whilst it is right that we need to eat less meat overall to achieve sustainable food production, red meat, as long as it is from grass-fed livestock, has a critical role to play in minimising carbon emissions from farming. This is because grasslands for grazing represent vitally important carbon stores.

"The Government makes an excellent suggestion that publicly owned land should be converted to growing spaces. The Soil Association led Food for Life Partnership (FFLP) is already leading the way by encouraging schools to grow their own food. FFLP gives communities access to seasonal, local and organic food, and to the skills they need to cook and grow fresh food for themselves. This also encourages people to make the link between their food choices and the impact on their health and that of the planet."