Issues

ENVIRONMENT Climate Change Energy Efficiency Organic Produce Soil Fertiliser Use Pesticide Use Fish Biodiversity Water

SOCIAL Fair Trade Social Audit Ethical Local Sourcing

ECONOMIC Internal Operations SAFETY BSE Lessons Hormones Antibiotics Additives

HEALTH Hygiene Health & Nutrition Animal Welfare GM

There are no immediate answers.

Procurers of food could start asking how much energy has been used to produce each kilo of the food and to see if there are less energy intensive foods on offer - just as when you buy white goods these days there are "energy efficient" labels.

A Conference held in Dublin 2005 looked at: Technology based solutions including the possible role of GM crops, integrated pest management and precision agriculture, and farm based alternative energy sources. Knowledge based solutions including organic systems, soil fertility, crop rotation and natural pest control, Intercropping, companion planting and the possibilities of multiple yields, Genetic diversity and the benefits of robust and region specific varieties.

Research shows that the best way to reduce energy costs of food is to eat locally produced food. See AgricFood Network