This study was undertaken in 2007/8 by Cranfield University, AEA and others for Defra, and looks at the supply chains of seven food commodity groups, comparing UK-based with imported production across a range of environmental impacts areas, including GHG emissions.
This study was undertaken in 2007/8 by Cranfield University, AEA and others for Defra, and looks at the supply chains of seven food commodity groups, comparing UK-based with imported production across a range of environmental impacts areas, including GHG emissions.
The study concluded that the key factors affecting the environmental burdens per tonne of food delivered to the RDC are yield, the need for refrigerated storage and distance from the consumer. In agricultural production there are not only yield-related inputs but also overheads per unit area. Hence production by farming systems or in climates that produce large yields reduce those overhead burdens per tonne of produce.
It seems certain that, unless the UK embarks on a radical change of lifestyle, from drastically reducing the consumption of livestock products to embracing veganism or opting for more seasonal consumption, food will need to be imported from overseas to meet the demand.
You the full report is attached below and the annexes may be downloaded here.
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