The Soil Association does great work but sticking its oar into air miles will muddy its position

Grocer, June 2, 2007 by Adam Leyland

The Soil Association is in a right old muddle over food miles. The UK's largest and most recognisable trademark for organic produce has sent out a consultative document this week proposing that organic products that ore air-freighted into this country are banned from using the symbol, even if they meet its standards for pesticide use, animal welfare and conservation--standards that are "probably the most comprehensive for organic production and processing in the world". The Soil Association believes the debate brings together important issues of climate change, ethical trade, global justice and international endorsement. Blimey! We thought the trademark was a useful tool for shoppers wanting to buy artificial fertiliser-free food, not a political party. The association does great work, but is muddying its own chemical-free waters. The proportion of organic food imported has also been falling steadily, and represents a small fraction of the 1% of all air-freighted food brought into this country. Stick to the knitting, please, and let other labels deal with air miles.

* For more on air miles see p7