As gung-ho Brexiteers hail the opportunity to bring cheap food to Britain from the US, Sustain member the Sustainable Food Trust has published a timely conference report in which a range of experts examine the hidden costs of the US food system.
According to Patrick Holden, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Food Trust, food producers remain 'largely financially unaccountable for the terrible damage that current systems are inflicting on the environment and public health'. He argues that mechanisms must be found to ensure that producers whose methods protect the environment and improve public health are rewarded, while others are penalised financially for their practices.
Hidden costs explored at the conference included:
- the cost of nitrate and pesticide pollution of ground and river water from agro-chemicals, which in some areas are so high that the water industry is struggling to provide drinking water within legal limits;
- air pollution from intensive cattle units shown to be increasing respiratory infections in people living nearby;
- the loss of biodiversity, including the decline of farmland birds and pollinating insects;
- soil degradation and erosion from continuous monoculture crop production;
- the human health costs to employees working in stressful conditions in food processing plants.
Find the conference proceedings here.
Sustain campaigns for greener, healthier and fairer food systems. Find out more about what we do, and support us, here.
Published Monday 7 August 2017
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
