Stop the supermarket takeover
The Competition Commission has backed down over its worst supermarket planning recommendations - but the Government's new town centre planning policy proposals don't go far enough, and we still need to act to protect our high streets from the supermarket takeover.
Email
Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local
Government, and tell her not to miss this opportunity to promote
vibrant, diverse and sustainable town centres...
Then
ask your MP to write to Hazel Blears and ask her for a set of
positive planning policies that will help to tackle climate change,
protect town centres and promote diversity.
Don't believe the GM hype
It has been revealed that Government is looking into ways that GM crops could be grown in Britain. This follows strong lobbying by the GM industry, which is touting GM crops as a solution to the global food crisis. But despite the lack of evidence, it now looks like Government might believe their spin.
Tell
your MP not to fall for the hype, and ask them to write to Hilary
Benn to raise your concerns and push for a move towards sustainable
farming systems...
Hold GM companies to account
Governments from around the world will soon be discussing who should pay if GMOs damage biodiversity . These Biosafety Protocol negotiations will take place in Bonn, Germany, in May.
Email
Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, to demand
that the UK pushes for an EU position that supports a legally binding
liability regime that holds GM companies to account...
Fight for the right to choose GM-free
After a public consultation in 2006, DEFRA has outlined its proposals for the rules needed to control GM contamination if and when GM crops are grown in England. However, these proposals for the ‘coexistence’ of GM crops with conventional and organic crops are legally flawed and will result in routine, unlabelled, GM contamination.
Ask
your MP to write to Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs, Hilary Benn, to ensure that the final 'coexistence'
regulations comply with EU law.
Friends of the Earth has carried out a survey on supermarkets' policies on GM animal feed. This survey has revealed which supermarkets provide the fewest non-GM options: Asda, Budgens, Iceland, Morrisons, Somerfield and Tesco.
Contact
these supermarkets and ask them to eliminate GM animal feed from
their products.
Buy locally produced food
This helps support the economy of the local area and cuts down on the distance the produce needs to travel, thus reducing greenhouse gas pollution. Visit out Real Food Guide to find out where to find local produce...
Eat in season
Large areas of land in developing countries are used to provide us with out-of-season produce. Farmers then have to buy the food they need, when they once grew it for free.
Cut down on meat consumption
Meat production consumes vast amounts of resources - 10,000 litres of water are needed to produce one kilogram of beef, compared with only 500 litres of water to produce the same weight of potatoes.
(Certain actions taken from 'Go MAD!', published by The Ecologist)