Food Miles

INTRODUCTION
The issue of 'food miles' is increasingly topical - with growing pressure to cut the pollution caused by transporting produce to consumers.

In November 2006, the Times carried a report headlined: 'Christmas lunch will fly 84,000 miles to your table' - but the reality is that well over 90% of food imports come by sea rather than air.

In fact, the small carbon footprint of shipping may often mean that food imported from overseas - particularly where the agriculture is not energy-intensive - is responsible for less carbon release than the same foods produced in the UK.

REASON FOR CAMPAIGN
'Food miles' should not be based simply on the distance food travels. The concept is more complex, and needs to take account of the dramatic differences in the amounts of energy consumed by different modes of transport to move the same amount of cargo.

The truth is, the UK is heavily reliant on its imports and the most environmentally friendly way to bring produce into the country is indeed through shipping. Studies show that sea freight can be up to 100 times greener than air freight, and it is also substantially greener than road freight.

The evidence points to the conclusion that shipping makes a positive environmental and economic contribution to the UK and world economy. But should the message of food miles be misunderstood, it could have a detrimental effect on UK shipping and seafarers' jobs.

ACTION
Nautilus is working hard with other shipping industry bodies and lobby groups to ensure that the public and politicians get the full facts on food miles rather than the myths. Through campaign leaflets, stickers, and promotional activities, the Union seeks to highlight the importance of shipping to the UK and the world, and to demonstrate its credentials as one of the most environmentally-efficient forms of transport.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
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