Air-freight food must pass fair trade test to retain organic label in future

Food air-freighted to Britain from developing countries will only bear an organic label in future if it can be shown that it was produced to fair trade standards as well as high environmental standards, the Soil Association said yesterday.

The move by Britain's leading organic inspectors follows concern about the climate change impact of food flown long distances and fears that some developing countries are in danger of losing markets due to new "green" protectionism.

The association rejected calls from the public, environmentalists and some of its own producers for a ban on all air-freighted organic food, deciding this would penalise many poor countries which benefit in terms of jobs and wages from growing organic food for British consumers.

The new ethical standards, which are similar to those that apply to Fairtrade products, will demand that organic food producers in developing countries contribute substantially to the social needs of communities and workers, and guarantee wages and good working conditions.

No date has been given for the change but it is not expected to be in place for at least a year. "It's right to continue to allow some organic air freight. Most people say that they only support air freight if it delivers real environmental and social benefits. This linking of organic and fair trade standards does that," said Peter Melchett, the Soil Association's policy director.

But he said that the long-term aim was to minimise air freight: "We think there will come a time where air transport becomes a thing of the past because of the cost of carbon emissions."

The shift will only affect the trade of £46m of food, but it is considered significant because air-freighted fresh produce and organic food are two of the fastest-growing sectors of the giant global food economy. Other international certification organisations are expected to follow the lead of the Soil Association.

The move follows consultation with nearly 200 organisations, including the World Trade Organisation, governments and UN bodies. New Zealand, Kenya and the UK's Department for International Development argued strongly against a ban. Supermarkets recognised the public disquiet and argued for a labelling system, and UN bodies urged extreme caution to protect vulnerable economies.

The prime minister of Tanzania, Edward Lowassa, pleaded with the association not to change its policy immediately because this would undermine opportunities for many developing countries to export high-value products to the UK. A study by the Danish Institute of International Studies, found that the world's poorest countries account for 79% of the organic foods exported by plane to the UK. The biggest exporters are Egypt, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia and Morocco.

Growing demand for year-round fresh produce has seen the volume of fresh fruit and vegetables flown into Britain more than double in 15 years. It is now common to see produce from Africa, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand on supermarket shelves. Foods include pineapples, mangos, peas and salad vegetables.

Although air-freighted goods are less than 1% of the total UK "food miles", the government estimates they are responsible for 11% of the CO2 emissions from food transport. The rise in air freight is due to increased globalisation of food supply and a relative decrease in the cost of air freight compared to other forms of transport.

Air miles

Air-freighted organic produce

Green beans: Egypt, Zambia, Gambia, Kenya

Sweetcorn: Thailand, Zambia

Asparagus: South Africa, Thailand

Peas: Egypt, Zambia, India

Limes: Mexico, Dominican Republic

Avocados: Mexico

Spring onions: Egypt, Thailand

Pineapples: Ghana

Sweet potatoes: US

Grapes: Egypt, Mexico, South Africa

Food miles

Air-freighted goods are less than 1% of food miles, but 11% of CO2 food distribution emissions

Greenhouse gases

Air freight by weight can generate 177 times more greenhouse gases than shipping