Organic produce may only be airfreighted to the UK if it delivers genuine benefits for growers in developing countries, under new proposals announced this week by the Soil Association’s (SA) standards board.
Airfreighted organic food will have to meet the SA’s own Ethical Trade standards or the Fairtrade Foundation’s standards in the future, and licensees will have to reduce any remaining dependence on airfreight.
The proposals are the result of a four-month period of public consultation on airfreight launched by the SA.
However, Nigel Jenney, ceo of the Fresh Produce Consortium, has slammed the proposals. He told FPJ: “It is unfortunate that the SA has chosen to ignore the independent data provided by the industry, and has proceeded to promote the concept of airfreighting produce as an emotive issue. The produce industry as a whole accounts for no more than three per cent of the UK’s carbon footprint, so perhaps the SA should focus its attention on other organic sectors with a much larger footprint. Most airfreighted produce is flown on passenger airlines, which would fly regardless of their cargo.
“We hope the government continues with its view that the SA should ‘leave things as they are’. Perhaps it is now time to ask other accreditation bodies to come off the fence and give their views during the second consultation phase,” he added.
However, the SA has defended its draft decisions. Anna Bradley, chair of the Soil Association's standards board, said: “It is neither sustainable nor responsible to encourage poorer farmers to be reliant on airfreight, but we recognise that building alternative markets that offer the same social and economic benefits as organic exports will take time. Therefore, the SA will be doing all it can to encourage farmers in developing countries to build organic markets that do not depend on airfreight.”
Peter Melchett, SA policy director, said: “We’ve noted the government’s comments in the press as to what we are or are not going to do. Our consultation results show that most people say they only support airfreight if it delivers real social and environmental benefits. Linking organic and ethical or Fairtrade standards does that. I challenge the government to put its policies where its rhetoric is, and back this scheme.”
Anthony Pile of Ghanaian fresh-cut fruit firm Blue Skies, an exporter which relies heavily on airfreight, told FPJ: “I cautiously welcome these proposals, but am anxious about the small print. While Blue Skies and other companies already work to the ethical standards stipulated, part of the process involves the retailers being audited, and if they are not prepared to be subject to such scrutiny, then it is as good as a ban.
“What is really not ideal is that farmers are left holding their breath. The Soil Association has kindly allowed Blue Skies to be involved in the next consultation phase, and we will use the chance to campaign hard for Africa,” Pile added.
The details of the proposal will be open to consultation during 2008, and an agreed way forward will be put in place by January 2009.
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