The UK’s Food and Drink Federation has today [Thursday] published an industry-wide plan for involving businesses in developing strategies for sustainable development.
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In advance of the World Summit in Johannesburg, the FDF said that the report will help UK companies who want to adopt more sustainable policies by providing: sustainable development guiding principles; key performance indicators (KPIs) to enable companies to measure and report on their sustainability performance; and simple practical steps that companies can take to improve sustainability.
The report follows a massive consultation involving the entire sector as well as NGOs, government and public bodies, consumer organisations and trade unions.
It sets out how the UK industry is tackling climate change; industry initiatives that go beyond legal requirements of existing environmental regulations and policies; the industry’s use of management systems, including environmental management systems, and how environmental considerations are taken into account in the food supply chain and the future challenges for the UK food chain including: consumer expectations, GMOs, sustainable agriculture, transport and reform of the CAP.
The FDF insists that the food and drink industry lies at the very heart of sustainability as food production sustains the world’s population. However, the consumers are also identified as crucial because they can, through their purchasing decisions, make a significant contribution to achieving sustainable food production.
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By GlobalDataThe report also sets out the composition and structure of the food and drink manufacturing industry, the contribution it makes to the UK economy and its diversity. It demonstrates how FDF members work to ensure the optimum use of natural resources, including recycling and recovery where appropriate, in sourcing raw materials, in manufacturing and in packaging.
It also reviews progress by the UK industry in tackling sustainable development issues, since Rio 1992, set against the Government’s four defining “objectives”: social progress which recognises the needs of everyone; effective protection of the environment; prudent use of natural resources and maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.
FDF deputy director General Martin Paterson said: “Sustainable development is one of the key challenges facing society in the 21st century and, in supplying the world’s population with “the staff of life”, the food and drink industry lies at the heart of sustainability
“Companies within the UK food and drink sector are committed to minimising the environmental impact of their activities and working towards the objective of long-term sustainability.
“In compiling this report we have taken account also of the internationally recognised Bruntland Commission definition of sustainable development, which we have interpreted for the food and drink industry as ‘meeting the needs of consumers today and in the future while minimising the use of non-renewable resources and impact on the environment’.
“We believe that sustainable development should be seen as a continuous improvement process that uses innovative ways to increase eco-efficiency towards the goal of a sustainable food production and consumption system, which both maintains and enhances consumer trust.”
