Archived press release

UK Government must buy planet-friendly British food

25 March 2010

Responding to Shadow Environment Secretary Nick Herbert's comment that it is time for a Government which "cares about British farming" by ensuring Whitehall buys British food, Friends of the Earth's senior food campaigner Vicki Hird said:

"The Government, along with school authorities and the NHS, should be supporting UK farmers by buying British food in all of their departments, schools and hospitals - but it must also be food that has been produced without trashing rainforests.

"Large-scale industrial farming in this country is now a major cause of greenhouse gas emissions and the loss of wildlife. Rainforests in South America are being cleared to grow animal feed destined for UK factory farms.

"So far 259 MPs and more than 30,000 farmers and consumers around the country have backed our call for planet-friendly farming.

"The next Government must demonstrate real commitment to tackling climate change by ending funding for factory farming and supporting British farmers to graze animals and feed them home-grown diets."

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. Peter Ainsworth MP (Conservative, East Surrey) yesterday presented a Sustainable Livestock Bill to the House of Commons. The Bill has cross-party support and demands an ambitious new plan to reduce the environmental impact of the UK's meat and dairy consumption. The Bill is being tabled in support of Friends of the Earth's Food Chain Campaign which will press for it to become law in the next Parliament - whichever party is in power. Friends of the Earth's campaign highlights the hidden link between the food on our plate and:
• Climate change - the meat and dairy industry is responsible for 18 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Deforestation - if current trends continue, farming for animal feed and cattle ranching alone will destroy 40 per cent of the Amazon rainforest by 2040
Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to lead the way by procuring sustainable food in all Government departments, councils, hospitals and schools.

2. For more information see
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/mps_meat_challenge_24032010.html
http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodiversity/news/fix_food_chain_20576.html

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust