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Fresh food growers and producers from developing countries, organic businesses in the UK and abroad, development charities, environmentalists, organic consumers and other stakeholders were present.

The issue of air freighting organic food is complex and the summit involved in-depth discussions on the issues of climate change, ethical trade, global justice and international development.

Anna Bradley, chair of the Soil Association standards board, said:

?That over 100 people are participating in the air freight summit shows the importance of launching this wide and inclusive debate. Organic food production is much less damaging to the environment, so much so that it is environmentally preferable to non-organic UK production, even when the impact of road or sea freight is taken into account. But air freight changes the equation and this is one of the reasons we have chosen to put the spotlight on it. Key to our interest are public expectations of good quality organic food. The public concern most frequently raised with us is the perceived inappropriateness of air freighting organic food. This is a concern shared by many organic businesses.?

Air freight emits far more greenhouse gases per 'food mile' than any other form of transport. The ability to air freight food thousands of miles around the world in a matter of hours has put a wider variety of products on our shelves all year round. It also enables producers in developing countries to supply the UK with premium organic products, creating jobs and opportunities.

The proportion of organic food imported into the UK has been falling steadily. A UK government report found that organic and non-organic air freight accounts for less than 1 per cent of all imported food. The Soil Association calculated that the movement of organic products represents a small fraction of this. Despite this, consumers have expressed concern over the cost this has to the environment. Environmentalists also highlight the projected growth of aviation as a serious flaw in the UK's strategy for tackling climate change.

The Soil Association Standards Board is considering five possible options (though other options will of course be considered). These include: Taking no action; A general ban; A selective ban; Labelling air freight or Carbon offsetting. The deadline for the consultation is 28 September 2007.

Emily Armisted, senior campaigner for Greenpeace, responded:

?As climate scientists warn us that we have just ten years to stabalise global emissions it seems ridiculous to be flying food half-way round the world. Aviation is one of the fastest growing sources of emissions and limiting its growth is crucial to dealing with the very serious threat climate change poses. Any sensible and sustainable approach to food production and distribution would see air-freight phased out.?

Alexander Kasterine, senior market development advisor, International Trade Centre, said:

?Food miles is a misleading and simplistic concept and not a reliable indicator of the environmental impact of a product. We need to consider the energy used across the whole supply chain from farm to fork. The fresh fruit and vegetable industry is a great success story of African agriculture, generating income for the rural poor who now have better access to health care and education for their children. The Soil Association is threatening many thousands of poor people's livelihoods in Africa and elsewhere with a proposal that has no scientific basis.?

Anthony Pile, founder of Blue Skies, organic food importers, said:

?We would see any change to the rules as unfair to us and unfair to Africa. The carbon emissions for air freighted food is something like 1 per cent of the total emissions. Why hit farmers who have a tiny carbon footprint and often live without electricity??

Rene? Elliot, founding director, Planet Organic foodstore, said:

?We haven't taken a corporate decision on this issue. Banning air freight would be easy for Planet Organic because our focus is seasonal and local, but this is only a tiny part of the world's carbon footprint and should not be looked at in isolation. We support a selective ban, with an exemption for the least developed countries and I don't agree with the option of food labelling because it would be too complicated.?

Keith Abel, founder and director of Abel & Cole organic home delivery service, said:

?We banned air freight from the very start. We feel air freighting food is an absolute catastrophe and the reason people buy organic food is because they want food that is seasonal, local and sustainable both for themselves, for their own health and for the planet. Organic should be a by-word for sustainable agriculture. We should remember that western companies, not third world growers and farmers, own many of the businesses that will be affected. Also, to say we must sustain these livelihoods is like saying we should sustain the livelihoods of Easyjet pilots and take ?15 flights to Barcelona every Friday.?