Consumers 'must abandon big retailers'
SUSTAINABILITY campaigners have warned consumers and food producers to abandon large retailers to save the environment.
The organisation Sustainability South West (SSW) believes if we continue to produce and consume food in the way that we have, we risk being unable to feed ourselves in future.
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SWW claims food production and consumption is increasingly dangerous to climate change. It is also damaging and wasting the natural resources on which we depend for survival.
Julian Dennis, the SSW chairman, said: "If we are going to be resilient to the huge 21st century challenges of climate change and population growth, we must all learn how to be far more eco-efficient in the way we produce, distribute and consume food. We have a reputation for good local food in the South West – now is the time to develop this legacy to help us to – literally – grow ourselves a more sustainable future."
The group is calling for consumers and food producers to weald more power over their food supplies.
It wants producers and shoppers to move away from large retailers to "set the agenda and a complete revaluing of healthy food production as an essential ingredient that keeps our vital life support systems going."
Earlier this week members and guests of the SSW debated "What a truly sustainable food system would be like" at its annual sustainability summit held in Dartmouth.
SSW director Leslie Watson said: "Our current approach to food is fast becoming a recipe for disaster.
"We need stronger leadership to overturn our short sighted approach to food production and consumption.
"Our region has developed some excellent examples that support local communities and producers through sustainable production and procurement schemes by organisations including the Cornwall NHS Trust and the National Trust. We know that personal involvement with the production of food even at the simplest level can significantly improve our physical and mental and wellbeing.
"So dig for sustainability."
SSW leaders said they would be preparing recommendations with other organisations across the region to respond to a new government consultation on a national sustainable food policy expected later in the year.
Leslie Watson said: "Our mission is to champion action now to achieve a South West that is genuinely sustainable, resilient, healthy, productive, socially-just and living within environmental limits."
For more information about Sustainability South West, visit www.sustainability southwest.org.uk
6 Comments
by a g rawlings, truro
Monday, July 13 2009, 9:13AM
“That statement Alan is rubbish,
who do you think has made poverty and unemployment in the country? Who is adiment that all industries in this country needs to be wiped out?
Had we had control on the supermarkets the little shop and small business people would still have been here.Who other than the supermarkets have flooded us with fat filled goods that are coursing the poor to suffer? Why are our towns and villages becoming ghost towns? No shops no community, no local food, no local jobs, no future for the small business man.”
by Trevor Brittain, Wadebridge
Sunday, July 12 2009, 7:22PM
“I agree with the argument for sustainability but its time our farmers and producers turned consumerist! My local farm shop closes at 4.30pm of an evening - I don't arrive home until 6 or 7pm. Farmers and producers need to begin thinking bigger - a lack of publicity and convenience is over shadowing the amazing quality of local produce. Investment needs to be put into converting farmers into entrepreneurs - for their sakes (and ours!).”
by ALAN GODFREY, Practical
Sunday, July 12 2009, 7:51AM
“The only way that the people who are struggling with there financial problems can eat, is to shop at the supermarkets.
The people who want to change the rules are the ones with money who can afford to shop at the small shops.”
by a g rawlings, truro
Saturday, July 11 2009, 1:28PM
“Well Wilf, I hope you don't mind me reminding you that what this artical is about was put forward by Oswald Mosley in the 1930's. He warned us about many things that turned out to be correct and the loss of the little shopkeeper was one of them.
he did say that the government of the day wanted the supermarkets to rule on a vast scale. this then would be the end of farming and the small farmers feeding the British. As we can see most small shops haved been wiped out like most of our manufacturing industries. Indeed nowdays we
are encouraged to buy imported goods and dicth our own as more money is made from sweatshop labour with the full support of the voters, who want no jobs for Europe and Britain. So it might be better for you to dicth growing your own and buy foreign foods
and stand by the governments of the past and present.”
by michael murphy, Teignmouth
Saturday, July 11 2009, 11:45AM
“The usual nonsense on stilts from the South West 'Chattering Classes'.”
by Wilf Frith, Penzance
Saturday, July 11 2009, 8:18AM
“We've just grown our first spuds and broad beans and it's only the start.
So annoying to see piles of fruit and veg in the likes of Tescos from afar afield as Chile, New Zealand, etc...even apples!
If we let world population to continue to run out of control, we'll all pay forit in many ways.
Nor can we any longer believe that its Ok to consume massed of meat and dairy produce, much of which is incredibly wasteful and polluting.
We don't have the grains and cereals to waste now and we certainly will not in the years to come.”