Organic farmers in Uganda and other developing countries face a threat of their products being banned should the UK Soil Association decide to put a freeze on organic air freighted exports to the country.
Consultations are underway to formulate a standard at least next spring which could suggest a ban on all labeled air freighted exports contaminated with emissions. Some UK supermarkets, like Tesco and Marks & Spencer, have already started implementing carbon offsetting.
The UK is one of Uganda's main exports destination in the EU.
If this ban by the Soil Association, which certifies over 75 per cent of organic products on the UK retail market, and has a strong reputation because of its high standards, is effected then revenue from the export industry would be lost, and growers would lose their livelihood and be forced back into poverty.
At an exporters' sensitisation meeting on World Trade Organisation (WTO) export standards, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) Deputy Executive Director (Technical), Dr Ben Manyindo said: "WTO standards are changing more frequently."
The food miles present an argument to buy goods which have traveled the shortest distance from farm to table, and to discriminate against long-haul transportation, especially air-freighted goods.
The long-distance transport of food is associated with additional emissions due to increased transportation coupled with greater packaging, as well as negative impacts on local rural communities, and a disconnection between the public and local farming. It is alleged that airfreight produces 150 times more carbon output than sea freight.
The Managing Director of exporter Greenfield's Ltd, Mr. Philip Borel said: "If this requirement is implemented it will be a big blow to the industry. We can hardly imagine how competitive we will be with other nations. Air freight is the most efficient and fastest means of transport.”
The Monitor
