Well-meaning but heavy-handed tactics from the Soil Association

Grocer, Oct 27, 2007 by Fiona McLelland

Oh dear. The Soil Association was just trying to do its bit to tackle climate change, but has ended up causing a bit of stir instead.

After four months of deliberation, it has decided to ban air-freighted food from displaying its organic logo--unless farmers can meet stringent new ethical standards set out by the association.

Now, it's easy to see why the association wants to save the planet, and why it's attempting to protect poor organic producers.

But gaining Fairtrade status is a costly and lengthy process that could cost farmers dear.

And all for a new scheme that will have a negligible positive impact on the environment.

Even by the Soil Association's estimates, fewer than 1% of organic imports come to the UK by air.

And as the government points out, you generate more emissions driving to the shop to buy those Kenyan beans than is expended flying them in.

This will be a bitter pill for the African farmers to swallow--especially when their produce actually has some of the lowest carbon footprints around.