Buying organic or locally-produced food is not always better for the environment, a study has warned.
Researchers from Manchester Business School looked at the environmental impact of 150 top-selling food items, from cultivation, through transport and processing and to their consumption by an individual.
The report, which was carried out for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), concluded that the environmental benefits of organic food production are not "clear-cut".
"There is no clear evidence in environmental terms to support locally-sourced rather than globally-sourced shopping," the study said.
"For some foods, global sourcing might be a better option for the environment."
The researchers looked at seven food groups, including basic carbohydrate foods, fruit and vegetables, dairy products, meat products and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
For each food group, the report considered environmental impacts, including effect on water in the area, energy use for cultivation, global warming potential, processing impacts, refrigeration and packaging impacts.
Professor Ken Green, Manchester Business School: "The evidence available so far shows that 'local' is not always the best option for the environment."
Other effects, such as social or economic, which might be good reasons for buying locally-produced foods were not taken into account.
Lead researcher Professor Ken Green said: "This is the first time such a comprehensive review of the available evidence has been carried out in the UK.
"It highlights some challenging problems that Defra will need to consider in their development of policies for sustainable food production and consumption.
"If you are concerned about the 'carbon footprint' of foods, there can be good case for importing some of them even if they can be grown in the UK.
"The evidence available so far shows that 'local' is not always the best option for the environment."
However, the findings have been cautioned by the Social Association, the group which campaigns for organic farming.
"The Soil Association wishes to reassure people that organic farming is much better for the environment than industrial methods," the group said in a press statement.
"The report only covered a couple of the environmental impacts of organic farming, omitting many others.
"Based on all the evidence available, the Soil Association remains confident that organic farming is better for tackling climate change and for other environmental impacts."
Britain's organic food and drink market was worth an estimated £1.2bn in 2005, according to market analysts Mintel.
Looking ahead, Mintel forecasts that the organic market will reach a value of £2bn by 2010.
comments
I'm sure that small scale organic farms are generally designed from the ground up to be environmentally benign and to provide many benefits in addition to that and the organic produce. But when large scale producers decide to cash in on the popularity and higher prices available by complying with organic requirements, they won't change any other aspects of their business and will contiunue to operate in the most profitable manner possible, without regard to environmental benefit. Business schools are not the best source for comprehensive analyses of organic farming benefits.
22nd February 2007 at 4:12pm
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