Ecological rating plan put forward - farmers weekly

Ecological rating plan put forward - farmers weekly


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1 FEBRUARY 2002 ------------------------- ECOLOGICAL RATING PLAN PUT FORWARD THERE has been an unprecedented interest in organic agriculture and its voice is being increasingly heard, Soil


Association president Jonathan Dimbleby told the conference. "The ideas being generated by the organic movement are shaping the way forward to agriculture. But it must be remembered


that farming is in crisis and organic farmers are not exempt from that." Mr Dimbleby said think global, act local was the best way to improve food production. Dutch food trader Volkert


Engelsman suggested a new labelling system which would give foods an ecological rating. "An ecological quality rating would indicate food miles, while a social quality rating would take


into account whether the product was local and its contribution to the rural economy. "A production standard rating could also be included which would give an indication of farming


techniques used in growing the food, such as whether pesticides had been applied or whether animals had been out at grass." &#42