|
|
General
information on: Entry criteria |
Food Over recent years there has been a major change in agriculture. Britain has to compete in a global market and faces competition from countries where cheaper labour costs and less stringent animal welfare requirements enable food to be produced at a fraction of the cost. British agriculture has also been hit by a number of major problems, notably BSE, salmonella in eggs and, more recently, foot and mouth disease. British farmers are having to rethink the way they farm and the way they market their produce. Globalisation and the various food scares, coupled with concerns over the effect of diet on health, have focused the minds of consumers on where their food comes from and how it is produced. A number of issues have been raised including food miles, the use of herbicides and pesticides, management of livestock and the environmental impact of agriculture. At the same time concerns have been expressed about the need to support the local economy. Research has shown that the cheapest items on the supermarket shelf are not necessarily so cheap environmental and health costs are taken into account. It is worth considering the amount of packaging on food items and whether it is recycled or re-usable rather than throw-away, where it may end up in landfill. Purchasing local food addresses many of these issues. First, it is of benefit to the local economy. Buying from local shops and producers keeps income in the county. It keeps small farms viable. Businesses, such as cheesemaking, fruit juice production and ice cream making, to name a few, flourish. There is a knock on effect for other related businesses. Secondly, buying local food from local suppliers helps to cut down food miles. Reduction in food miles is important not only because it reduces the number of large vehicles on the roads and reduces the use of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions, but also because of the effect on animal welfare and the spread of disease. Livestock is stressed by travel. Many of the large multiples require the use of a prescribed abattoir that can be hundreds of miles from the farm. In the event of an outbreak of disease, such as foot and mouth, the infection can be spread more rapidly by the movement of livestock. Farmers who are not constrained by the large multiples endeavour to use abattoirs close to home. Also their produce goes directly to the market or local retailer and does not have to be transported to a central distribution point. Cutting food miles also has an effect on the quality of the produce. Stress does nothing to improve the quality of meat. Buying
local food and drinks helps to ensure that small-scale
farms remain viable and this helps to retain the existing
landscape. Many farmers who produce to sell to the local market
use traditional, low input methods. Livestock is allowed to mature
slowly on grass. Animals free to roam are less stressed and less
prone to disease, reducing the need to use medication. A number
of holdings are farmed according to organic principles, so chemicals
are not routinely put on the land thus benefiting wildlife. Those
who sell to the large multiple chains are encouraged to produce
large quantities of a single product at the lowest possible price.
If these farmers have a local market for their produce, there
is an incentive to produce a variety of products. Fewer herbicides
and pesticides are used when crops and livestock are rotated benefiting
the wildlife. Buying locally enables traceability, an important consideration with so many food scares. The globalisation of trade has meant that some foodstuffs travel thousands of miles and it is not always possible to discover the country of origin. Some meat products, for example, may be marketed as British when the livestock has in fact been reared in another country. A beef burger sold by a burger chain can contain meat from up to 100 animals. In contrast, many local retailers are happy to tell customers precisely where goods were produced. Stall holders at farmers’ markets sell only their own produce. Many of the local producers welcome visitors, so shoppers can see for themselves how the animals are reared and the fruit and vegetables grown. Local produce may be purchased from a number of outlets. There are several farm shops around the county. Many local retailers and village shops sell a good range of local produce. Farmers’ markets are now well established in the county. Some of the large multiple chains also sell some local produce, but shoppers should be aware that buying from these stores does not necessarily reduce food miles as their central distribution system often means that a local product can travel many miles to a central distribution depot before arriving on the shelves of the local store. Farmers’ markets are a good way for shoppers to learn more about the availability of local food. The stall holders are allowed to sell only their own produce and the person selling must be some one who has been involved in the production. Customers, therefore, have the opportunity to discover exactly how the product has been produced. The producers can try out new lines, perhaps a different variety of cauliflower or a new cheese recipe, and can have direct feedback from the customers. Some of the stall holders sell organic produce and many of the others, while not registered with a certification body, endeavour to keep chemical inputs to a minimum and oppose the introduction of genetically-modified seeds. We have the basis on which to build a really strong local food economy. The next step is to encourage more people to buy local and seasonal produce. We need to spread the word that cooking can be fun and relaxing and that producing food for others can be rewarding. We need to encourage more farmers to listen to the consumers. We need to encourage those wanting to start a food business to collaborate with local farmers. We need to improve distribution so that the hoteliers and caterers can source local produce more readily. Much
has been achieved and more will follow if consumers make their
voices heard. Ask where your food comes from. Spread the word
about the delights of eating fresh, local, seasonal produce. Waste
& Recycling
There are other ways that we can reduce the amount of rubbish we throw away by consuming with greater care:
GREENLINKS
FACTLETS
Education Sustainable development has recently become a key cross cutting theme in the national curriculum, covering the local and global implications of lifestyle choices, the needs and rights of present and future generations and the interaction and interdependence of society, economy and the environment. All state schools should therefore include an element of education for sustainable development in their teaching. (see 'Eco Schools' below) It is still worth asking, however if the school has an environmental policy, if it encourages its pupils to recycle and minimize waste, and if the grounds are used as an educational resource. How your child travels to school should also be an important element of your choice. There are plenty of opportunities to learn in a more informal setting through visits to sites where aspects of sustainable development are practised or demonstrated. These include: The Centre for Alternative Technology at Machynlleth, Henry Doubleday Research Association gardens at Ryton, Coventry, The Eden Project, The National Botanic Garden of Wales, The CREATE Centre in Bristol. Eco-Schools
- Encams, Elizabeth Hse, The Pier Wigan WN3 4EX Tel:
01942824620 Health Complementary therapists can work alongside standard medical diagnosis and treatment. It is not a case of one or the other. A growing number of doctors, nurses and health professionals are recognising the effectiveness of complementary therapies. We are moving towards a more holistic approach to health. When a disease presents itself, it is not just the physical symptoms which are looked at, but the situation of the patient him or herself, because each illness is as individual as the sufferer. The aim is to get to the root of the problem, not just to 'cure' the disease with medication. Most Centres have receptionists who can help guide people towards the therapies which might be most beneficial. Most therapists will offer free consultations where you can discuss your needs. This is made easier in a Centre where you can talk to a number of therapists and then make your choice. Therapists are usually vetted by colleagues, so we can normally expect a high standard. Good health is our natural state. The aim is to prevent disease developing, and there are numerous ways that we can maintain our health through the way we live. Tips
Take exercise, the body creates its own antidepressants and antibodies through exercise, which need not be strenuous. In addition our lymphatic system which helps the body rid itself of toxins and fight disease relies on the contraction and release of our muscles. It also helps fight stress and increase our self esteem.
|