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16 Jan 2001
Friends of the Earth today called on the NFU to put more efforts into lobbying the Government to help its members reduce their impact on the environment. A report by the NFU, published earlier today, claims that excessive environmental regulation is “squeezing the life” out of the industry.
Sandra Bell, Food Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, today said:
“Instead of whinging about measures designed to protect both the environment and consumers, the NFU should be putting more of its efforts into helping growers save money by cutting down on chemical inputs, saving energy and converting to more sustainable methods of farming. For example there is a huge demand for organic produce yet British farmers are missing out on the profits it can bring because most of it comes from abroad.
Friends of the Earth challenges the NFU to lobby for measures that help both farmers and the environment. Revenues from the proposed pesticides tax should be recycled back to farmers through policies that encourage chemically-intensive farms to convert greener methods of production. And EU subsidies should be shifted away from support and redirected to farmers who deliver environmental benefits.”
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
Media team
