The UK-based Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has said that the country's leaders must provide accurate and balanced information on the environmental impact of all sectors of the fresh produce supply chain, following an announcement that the government intends to commission research into green labelling schemes.
The government was responding to a recent report by the House of Commons' International Development Committee, which highlighted the value of airfreighted imports.
In the report, the Committee recommended that the government should provide accurate information about the way that fresh produce has been grown as well as transported, as well as highlighting the benefits of airfreighted fruit and vegetables for growers in developing countries.
'We need to tackle the impact of climate change and to consider the carbon footprint of the whole supply chain,' said Nigel Jenney, chief executive officer of the FPC. 'Let's keep airfreight in perspective: total airfreighted imports of fruit and vegetables account for a mere 0.2 per cent of total UK greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, the consumption of fruit and vegetables accounts for only 2.5 per cent of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions in total.
'Horticultural exports are important contributors to fighting poverty in developing countries and airfrieght has a place in sustainable development,' Mr Jenney added.
He added that there was 'no evidence' that fewer aircraft would fly if purchases of imported fresh produce were to reduce, and said that ill-founded concerns regarding the impact of transported fruit and vegetables from developing countries needed to be put 'in their proper perspective'.
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