In the news
This page lists recent news items and features that have referred to our work.
Paul Steedman of the Food Ethics Council on food miles
BBC website
March 19 2008
Paul Steedman contributes to an article about food miles and other environment impacts of our diets in the Food Matters section of the BBC's webiste.
Click here to read this extensive piece.
March 19 2008
Paul Steedman contributes to an article about food miles and other environment impacts of our diets in the Food Matters section of the BBC's webiste.
Click here to read this extensive piece.
Maybe the CAP will fit afterall
European Voice
August 30 2007
In the build-up to this autumn's round of discussions about the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Tom MacMillan writes that the CAP should be reformed to promote sustainable farming practices and healthier diets.
He also quotes authors of articles in the Autumn 2007 issue of Food Ethics which takes a comprehensive look at what campaigners, politicians and NGO's are positing as the best way forward for CAP reform.
Click here to read a selection of articles from the Autumn 2007 issue of Food Ethics.
Click here to read the full article on the European Voice website.
August 30 2007
In the build-up to this autumn's round of discussions about the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Tom MacMillan writes that the CAP should be reformed to promote sustainable farming practices and healthier diets.
He also quotes authors of articles in the Autumn 2007 issue of Food Ethics which takes a comprehensive look at what campaigners, politicians and NGO's are positing as the best way forward for CAP reform.
Click here to read a selection of articles from the Autumn 2007 issue of Food Ethics.
Click here to read the full article on the European Voice website.
Spend better, not less
Comment is Free
September 2 2007
In an article on the Guardian's Comment is Free website, executive director of the Food Ethics Council, Tom MacMillan, discusses some current ideas about reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
Tom says, "we spend more each week on farm subsidies than on fruit and veg. The payouts hurt the climate, people in poorer countries, wildlife and probably our health." But, he says, we shouldn't scrap the CAP - we should spend better, not less.
The Autumn issue of Food Ethics, the Food Ethics Council's quarterly magazine, takes a comprehensive look at what campaigners, politicians and NGO's are positing as the best way forward for CAP reform.
Click here to read the article in full.
Click here to read a selection of articles from the Autumn 2007 issue of Food Ethics.
September 2 2007
In an article on the Guardian's Comment is Free website, executive director of the Food Ethics Council, Tom MacMillan, discusses some current ideas about reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
Tom says, "we spend more each week on farm subsidies than on fruit and veg. The payouts hurt the climate, people in poorer countries, wildlife and probably our health." But, he says, we shouldn't scrap the CAP - we should spend better, not less.
The Autumn issue of Food Ethics, the Food Ethics Council's quarterly magazine, takes a comprehensive look at what campaigners, politicians and NGO's are positing as the best way forward for CAP reform.
Click here to read the article in full.
Click here to read a selection of articles from the Autumn 2007 issue of Food Ethics.
Consumer moral confidence
Farmers' Guardian
August 21 2007
In a feature prompted by Whole Foods Market opening a flagship London shop, the Farmers' Guardian writes:
Food Ethics Council’s executive director Tom MacMillan believes most consumers really are interested in the environmental implications of their food consumption.
“People don’t want their food to have damaged the environment people have cared about that for a long time. It’s the growing realisation that things are not OK – that [we] can’t take for granted that industry and government will see to it our food is produced responsibly – that has brought that concern to the surface.”
The arrival of WFM and its ‘feel good’ philosophy is the strongest symbol yet of the commercialisation of this trend.
It is not the only one. The proposed introduction of carbon footprint rating labels on food appears to be an ideal way to make consumers more conscious of where their food is coming from – in theory.
Some have argued, however, that the practicalities behind placing such labels on food are problematic and that it can lead to customer confusion.
According to Mr MacMillan, although there are benefits to be derived from carbon labelling, what is needed is a ‘real vision’ to cut the environmental impact of food production.
“The good thing about carbon labels is they encourage companies to clean up their act before they stick the labels on – the process of working out a product’s carbon footprint can point out wasteful processes and save companies money.
“But they don’t solve the environmental problem or meet the public concern.
“They give us a bitty approach when we need real vision to cut the climate impact of our food radically, without causing other problems, say to farmers in the UK or abroad, or to biodiversity.
“They ask people to ‘choose’ a public good, even when it may not be in our individual interest as consumers – and while the fact is that people are making some green choices like that, it is often in desperation.
“When we’re shopping, we’d much rather just concentrate on what we fancy for dinner.”
August 21 2007
In a feature prompted by Whole Foods Market opening a flagship London shop, the Farmers' Guardian writes:
Food Ethics Council’s executive director Tom MacMillan believes most consumers really are interested in the environmental implications of their food consumption.
“People don’t want their food to have damaged the environment people have cared about that for a long time. It’s the growing realisation that things are not OK – that [we] can’t take for granted that industry and government will see to it our food is produced responsibly – that has brought that concern to the surface.”
The arrival of WFM and its ‘feel good’ philosophy is the strongest symbol yet of the commercialisation of this trend.
It is not the only one. The proposed introduction of carbon footprint rating labels on food appears to be an ideal way to make consumers more conscious of where their food is coming from – in theory.
Some have argued, however, that the practicalities behind placing such labels on food are problematic and that it can lead to customer confusion.
According to Mr MacMillan, although there are benefits to be derived from carbon labelling, what is needed is a ‘real vision’ to cut the environmental impact of food production.
“The good thing about carbon labels is they encourage companies to clean up their act before they stick the labels on – the process of working out a product’s carbon footprint can point out wasteful processes and save companies money.
“But they don’t solve the environmental problem or meet the public concern.
“They give us a bitty approach when we need real vision to cut the climate impact of our food radically, without causing other problems, say to farmers in the UK or abroad, or to biodiversity.
“They ask people to ‘choose’ a public good, even when it may not be in our individual interest as consumers – and while the fact is that people are making some green choices like that, it is often in desperation.
“When we’re shopping, we’d much rather just concentrate on what we fancy for dinner.”
Supermarkets - short self-life
The Ecologist
July 1 2007
The Ecologist reported on the summer issue of Food Ethics in their July/August issue. They quote Food Ethics Council's executive director, Tom MacMillan: 'supermarkets add value from "food miles" and from sourcing out of season. Will doing the same thing more efficiently cut our food's environmental footprint by enough?'
July 1 2007
The Ecologist reported on the summer issue of Food Ethics in their July/August issue. They quote Food Ethics Council's executive director, Tom MacMillan: 'supermarkets add value from "food miles" and from sourcing out of season. Will doing the same thing more efficiently cut our food's environmental footprint by enough?'
Farmers facing climate change
BBC Farming Today
July 10 2007
Following a meeting of scientists to discuss farming and climate change, the programme discussed agricultural methods and technologies that could help farmers mitigate and adapt to climate change. It included contributions from Peter Kendall, President of the National Farmers'Union, and Dr Tom MacMillan, Executive Director of the Food Ethics Council.
July 10 2007
Following a meeting of scientists to discuss farming and climate change, the programme discussed agricultural methods and technologies that could help farmers mitigate and adapt to climate change. It included contributions from Peter Kendall, President of the National Farmers'Union, and Dr Tom MacMillan, Executive Director of the Food Ethics Council.
Retail sector warning
Farmers' Guardian
June 1 2007
The Farmers' Guardian published a story based on the Summer edition of Food Ethics magazine, reporting:
"Supermarkets depend on huge economies of scale, scouring the globe for bargains and buying in bulk. Because supermarkets are powerful buyers, the costs of raising standards get passed down the supply chain – and the weakest people in the chain are the workers who grow and make the products sold in the UK."
June 1 2007
The Farmers' Guardian published a story based on the Summer edition of Food Ethics magazine, reporting:
"Supermarkets depend on huge economies of scale, scouring the globe for bargains and buying in bulk. Because supermarkets are powerful buyers, the costs of raising standards get passed down the supply chain – and the weakest people in the chain are the workers who grow and make the products sold in the UK."
The future of food distribution
thenextwave - blog of leading futurist Andrew Curry, of the Henley Centre
May 18 2007
Andrew Curry reports on the first of the FEC's scenario building workshops on the future of food distribution.
May 18 2007
Andrew Curry reports on the first of the FEC's scenario building workshops on the future of food distribution.
Taking a toll
RSA Journal
April 1 2007
In an extended feature article, Fred Pearce discusses the impacts of road pricing on congestion, carbon emissions - and food. The article draws heavily on the FEC's 'Road Pricing and Sustainable Food' discussion paper and workshop report.
April 1 2007
In an extended feature article, Fred Pearce discusses the impacts of road pricing on congestion, carbon emissions - and food. The article draws heavily on the FEC's 'Road Pricing and Sustainable Food' discussion paper and workshop report.
Gangmaster raids expose illegal working conditions
Independent
March 13 2007
Martin Hickman reports:
"Spot checks have revealed the illegal and harsh world of east European workers packing vegetables for the country's biggest supermarket chains.
"Inspectors from the Government's new agricultural labour agency found serious breaches of employment laws when they visited three packing plants in the West Midlands
"None of scores of migrant workers had contracts of employment and most were not paid the national minimum wage. Many had been working for more than 10 hours a day and had not been given proper breaks or holiday pay.
"Some alleged they had been intimidated by their employer, or gangmaster...
"The Food Ethics Council think-tank blamed price pressure from supermarkets for the harsh treatment of migrants. Tom MacMillan, executive director, said: "For a start, they need the same safeguards in law as permanent workers. But the Government must also ease the squeeze from supermarkets - until that happens, stronger legal rights won't count for much."
March 13 2007
Martin Hickman reports:
"Spot checks have revealed the illegal and harsh world of east European workers packing vegetables for the country's biggest supermarket chains.
"Inspectors from the Government's new agricultural labour agency found serious breaches of employment laws when they visited three packing plants in the West Midlands
"None of scores of migrant workers had contracts of employment and most were not paid the national minimum wage. Many had been working for more than 10 hours a day and had not been given proper breaks or holiday pay.
"Some alleged they had been intimidated by their employer, or gangmaster...
"The Food Ethics Council think-tank blamed price pressure from supermarkets for the harsh treatment of migrants. Tom MacMillan, executive director, said: "For a start, they need the same safeguards in law as permanent workers. But the Government must also ease the squeeze from supermarkets - until that happens, stronger legal rights won't count for much."
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