Addressing that conference, the Minister welcomed Friends of the Earth’s initiative, encouraged attendees to search for consensus on the challenges facing the industry, and reiterated an earlier offer to produce a one-year-on report on the role of all parties with an interest in the issues raised. 

This document is that report, and draws on the contributions of many different stakeholders.  In producing the report, Defra has encouraged different contributors to share their thoughts on present and future responses to the challenges facing the industry.  No attempt has been made by Defra to edit the content of these contributions.

As a collection of viewpoints, this report concentrates largely on activities for sustainability in England.  Responsibilities for food and farming policies are, in large measure, shared with the devolved administrations, and further information on their activities can be found at the website addresses provided below.

• Wales
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland

• explain the changes in fisheries and fisheries management over the past thirty years and what we are now trying to achieve;
• set out the balance we will strike between economic, social and environmental priorities;
• clarify, through nine vision statements, the elements of sustainability;
• identify the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders in achieving sustainability;
• summarise the economic, social and environmental benefits and costs of delivering the vision.

Defra has, on a regular basis, updated its evidence base, which covers a large number of domestic and non-domestic energy-using product groups. This document assesses the UK’s progress towards meeting its objectives to save CO2 through the implementation of effective product policy, and where future efforts should be focused. It sets out the Government‟s current performance standards (also referred to as “Government Standards”) for energy-using products, projected from the present day to 2030. Government, business and consumers should aim to deliver and use products that meet the performance levels set out in the standards.

This overview report presents a cross-cutting analysis of product policy for the UK. Information about policies affecting specific product areas is set out in nine product-specific annexes and five shorter annexes for products not yet subject to policies.

• Working conditions are safe;
• Good health is promoted;
• Employment is freely chosen;
• Working hours are not excessive;
• Wages meet at least national legal standards;
• Training is provided;
• No discrimination is practised;
• Diversity and good workforce practices are encouraged;
• Child labour is eliminated;
• No inhumane treatment is allowed.

Further information

• Sustainable development

Defra’s agencies and NDPBsmay wish to adopt or adapt this policy statement for their own strategies, where they do not have an existing policy in place.

Further information

• Sustainable development

1. Improving Environmental Performance across the supply chain
2. Consumption trends and behaviour
3. Awareness, media, education & networks 
4. Creating market drivers
5. Traceability across the supply chain (ethics, trade & environment)

This is important because the food industry accounts for:

• about 14% of energy consumption by UK businesses and 7 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year
• about 10% of all industrial use of the public water supply
• about 10% of the industrial and commercial waste stream
• 25% of all HGV vehicle kilometres in the UK
• healthy food choices and information that will assist consumers to adopt more healthy and balanced diets; and
• 12.5% of the UK’s workforce

The strategy is aimed principally at the Food Industry, but may be of interest to anyone wishing to find out more about sustainability, reduction in energy consumption, food transport, the use of water, the management of waste, corporate social responsibility, ethical trading or better regulation.

The Strategy was published in May 2006.