UK air-freight food organic if it aids poor

Even more interesting than the last post (on organic air-freight produce), Reuters reports that a food's "organic" status may depend on who gets to eat it:

UK organic group says air-freight food ok if aids poor

LONDON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Britain's largest organic food association said on Wednesday it will continue to put its stamp of approval on products sent by air freight, but only if the food sales help poor farmers.

The Soil Association, which certifies over 70 percent of organic produce sold in Britain, had previously debated refusing to certify products shipped by air freight because of high carbon emissions from airplanes.

"We recognise that building alternative markets that offer the same social and economic benefits as organic exports take time," Anna Bradley, chairwoman of the Soil Association Standards Board told a news conference.

"Our aim is to minimise airfreight by encouraging alternatives, such other forms of shipping, and creating local organic markets," she said.

The group said details of the proposal would be open to discussion throughout 2008 and would become effective from January 2009.

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