21 MARCH 2003
More schools and hospitals should be encouraged to serve organic food, according to the environment minister Michael Meacher.
The Government has set a target for public organisations to increase the amount of organic ingredients used. Mr Meacher said that he wants to see the amount of organic food served in schools, hospitals and other outlets to reflect or exceed the amount of organic food that is sold by the supermarkets.
Speaking at a Soil Association event on 19 March, Mr Meacher said: “If we believe in better quality food then we need to look at whether school meals provide value for money rather than assessing their cheapness. Food affects behaviour, and good food will have wider social and cultural benefits. “
It is estimated by experts that schools have, on average, just 35p per pupil, per meal to spend on ingredients, and some commercial caterers may be making as much as 28p per pupil, per meal in profit. As a result, many school meals consist of cheap ingredients such as sugar and starch. The minister praised groundbreaking projects such as St Peter’s school in Nottinghamshire where fresh local and organic meals are made in the school’s own kitchen. The meals cost around 60p per pupil, per meal, but manage to keep within budget by cutting out contract catering costs: “This is a pattern that we need to see across the country and I am determined that the Government must make progress in this area,” said Mr Meacher.
He welcomed a suggestion that nutrition-based standards should be reintroduced for school meals, as current standards do not generally achieve Government nutritional targets. When asked whether nutrition should be part of the national curriculum in England and Wales – as is the case in Scotland and Northern Ireland - Mr Meacher was very supportive:
“I believe that children should be taught about food and nutrition. They need to be taught how crops are grown, and the effects of poor quality food.”
The minister said that organic farming produces safe, healthy products in response to market demands, and ensures that all consumers have access to nutritious food, and to accurate information about food products.
Mr Meacher unveiled a target to ensure that 70% of organic food is sourced from UK farmers by 2010 – the commitment to drastically reduce imports was stated in the Government’s Organic Action plan which was published last year, but no timescale was given.
The Soil Association was praised for a number of initiatives, including its work to promote the benefits of food and farming to the public, and for its network of 40 demonstration farms which attract 300,000 visitors each year.
Mr Meacher covered a number of other topics including:
Organic standards
“Standards are vital for maintaining consumer confidence. The organic sector must continue to demonstrate that it produces goods in a way that differs significantly from other forms of production. I have no doubt it will do so.”
Supermarkets
When asked by Jonathan Dimbleby – the Soil Association’s president who chaired the event - whether the supermarkets will do their bit to help the Government meet the targets set in the Organic Action Plan, Mr Meacher said: “Large retailers are characterised by self-interest. If they know that the public wants organic food from the UK they will respond – as they did with non-GM food. ”
“To help achieve the target, it is of major importance that the multiple retailers have committed themselves to increasing the proportion of organic food they source within the UK in product sectors where it is feasible for British producers to supply at acceptable levels of price and quality. As farmers know, retailers are very powerful.”
Mr Meacher also suggested that supermarkets should hold regular, local meetings with consumers to look at what consumers expect from them and how they are performing. More information should be made available to consumers via supermarkets about issues such as traceability and animal welfare.
Food Standards Agency
Mr Meacher is in discussions with Sir John Krebs about the FSA’s negative attitude towards organic food and farming. Sir John has said that he would reconsider the statement made about organic food on the FSA’s website.
GM
“ I recognise that the Soil Association’s concerns about GM crops are far ranging. I am particularly conscious of the fact that the possible – and I repeat possible – commercial cultivation raises important questions about choice, co-existence and liability. These are very important issues and the bottom line is that our approach will need to be consistent with our support for the Organic Action Plan."
Ends
For media enquiries, contact Sue Flook, Soil Association media manager on 0117 914 2448. Full copies of the speech are available from Defra.
Mr Meacher delivered the Lady Eve Balfour Memorial Lecture in London. The Soil Association wishes to thank Marks & Spencer, the Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) Trust, Greenvale AP and Triodos Bank for their sponsorship of this event.
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