Report: food futures

Citation

(2010), "Report: food futures", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 11 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijshe.2010.24911bag.001

Report: food futures

Article Type: News from the net From: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Volume 11, Issue 2

A new report by the UK-based Soil Association outlines what it believes should be a blueprint for a more sustainable approach to food and farming. It argues that our current food systems are precarious and vulnerable to external “shocks”. A combination of one or more external factors, such as extreme weather conditions, global conflict or trade disputes could easily disrupt the continuity of food supplies unless we make fundamental changes to the way we farm, process, distribute and eat our food over the next 20 years.

This report sets out seven key strategies for a food secure future: a clear vision for food and farming; setting higher mandatory targets and providing incentives for agriculture to cut emissions; increase R&D funding for sustainable farming practices and establish a farmer advisory programme; link healthy diets with a sustainable food system; build resilience through re-localising staple food production; re-skilling through the provision of training and apprenticeship programmes in sustainable agriculture; and work with the World Trade Organisation and international governments on food secure trade policy.

The report is available at: www.soilassociation.org/Whyorganic/Climatefriendlyfoodandfarming/Foodfutures/tabid/565/Default.aspx