Farming for the planet

What's the problem?

Farming contributes under 1% to the UK's total economic activity each year,[1] but it takes up 74% of land in the UK[2] and has an immense impact on our environment. Historically, farming has contributed to the beauty of the British countryside; however, industrialised agriculture has also caused environmental damage such as soil erosion, water pollution, and damage to wildlife habitats by using pesticides and other intensive farming techniques.[3]

What can we do about it?

The best way to support environmentally friendly farming is to ensure that you buy food accredited to a recognised standard, such as one of the schemes listed below. Many consider organic food to be the most environmentally benign form of farming, with the LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) scheme assuring some environmental benefits. Organic and LEAF Marque accreditation is clearly marked on food packaging and/or on signs at farms, and an accredited producer will be able to provide a copy of a valid certificate. Other schemes, such as Assured Food Standards (the 'Red Tractor'), guarantee that legal minimum standards have been met, or higher in some cases. See below for further information on the schemes.

Recognised accreditation schemes in use in the UK include the following:

Organic – these standards require farmers to protect the environment, primarily by severely restricting the use of pesticides, and avoiding the use of artificial chemical fertilisers. Instead, organic farmers rely on developing a healthy, fertile soil and growing a mixture of crops. Studies of organic farming systems show less environmental damage and a greater amount and variety of wildlife than conventional systems.[4] Certified organic farmers must also operate to high standards of animal welfare. There is a range of organic inspection and certification bodies,[5] of which the Soil Association is the largest. The word organic is defined by law, and all certifying bodies must comply with European organic regulations. Some certifying bodies, including the Soil Association, have higher standards than these. Buying seasonal and local organic food brings even greater benefits.

LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) – a scheme in which farmers audit their production systems and examine soil management, fertility, pesticide use, and pollution control and management. It encourages farms to have an 'integrated farm management system',[6] to reduce farming's impact on the environment, and member farmers can use the LEAF Marque on their products. This is not a scheme defined in law.

Assured Food Standards (AFS) – an umbrella body for various different crop and meat assurance schemes. Standards require farmers to comply with UK laws about the environment, food safety and animal welfare, and occasionally other steps that take them above this legal minimum. Member farmers can use the Red Tractor logo. Like LEAF Marque, AFS standards are not defined in law.[7]

* Other schemes encouraging improved environmental performance include the 'Entry Level Scheme' (ELS), and the 'Higher Level Scheme' (HLS), which are government-run schemes known as 'agri-environment schemes'.[8] These provide government funding to farmers to implement environmental management on their land. These schemes do not have logos, so it is generally more difficult for consumers to find out about which farms are participating.

For further information

• For more information about organic certification and the rules covering organic production, see the website of the UK's largest organic certification body, the Soil Association: http://www.soilassociation.org/. 
  
• For information about the LEAF Marque, see http://www.leafuk.org/leaf/. 
  
•  For information about the Red Tractor logo and the various assurance schemes associated with it, see http://www.redtractor.org.uk/site/rt_home.php. 
  
•  To find accredited producers in your region, contact the relevant accrediting organisation.

[1] National Statistics online (National Statistics http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nscl.asp?ID=6711, viewed 2 July 2007).
[2] Defra, Framework for Environmental accounts for agriculture – final report, (London: Defra, 2004).
[3] Professor Jules Pretty, Director of the Centre for Environment and Society at the University of Essex, has estimated that to clean up the environmental damage caused by food production and distribution in the UK would cost £2.3bn. Jules Pretty, “Policy challenges and priorities for internalizing the externalities of modern agriculture,” Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 44 no.2 (2001): http://www.essex.ac.uk/bs/staff/pretty/JEPM%20pdf.pdf.
[4] For information on the environmental and sustainability benefits of organic farming, see Defra's website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/organic/consumers/index.htm.
[5] There are 10 UK approved organic certifying authorities – for a full list, see: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/organic/standards/certbodies/approved.htm.
[6] LEAF: http://www.leafuk.org/leaf/organisation
[7] See http://www.littleredtractor.org.uk/ for further information
[8] For further information see http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/es/default.htm