Food Miles Are Just a Form of Protectionism

Proposals to decertify organic crops grown in foreign nations amount to protectionism, argues Dominic Lawson in the Independent. Assumptions that local products require less energy and include fewer chemicals are not always valid. Despite the need for air transport, the vegetables grown in Kenya, without tractors or organic fertilizers, account for fewer carbon emissions than crops grown in the UK, explains Joseph Muchemi of Kenya. Lawson questions how governments and special-interest groups might set the boundaries on any bans for foreign crops – such bans, carried to the extreme, would limit common products like bananas, coffee or tea to the very rich. Lawson argues that the “buy local” supporters who sincerely care about the environment must understand that such policies diminish economic potential for Africans who stand to suffer most from climate change. – YaleGlobal