Miliband accused of back-pedalling in organic foods clash
THE Environment Secretary has admitted he eats organic food, despite having declared it a “lifestyle choice” without any proven health benefits.
David Miliband angered organic farmers with his comments earlier this month, which were seen by some as a rebuke to those who criticise conventional farming practices.
The South Shields Labour MP clarified his position in an interview yesterday, saying: “I always say that people, including myself, buy organic for taste and environmental benefits.
“I had been asked the question ‘What’s the evidence on the health benefits?’ There, the 2003 Food Standards Agency says they’re not proven. But the environmental and taste benefits are obviously a big incentive to consumers.” Miliband went on to say that his department spent 50m a year supporting organic farming because of the “biodiversity benefits” which it brings.
Last week, however, he was asked about the health benefit claims made by organic food supporters.
At that time, he had said: “It’s a lifestyle choice that people can make. There isn’t conclusive proof either way. It’s only 4% of total farm produce, not 40%, and I would not want to say 96% of our farm produce is inferior because it is not organic.”
He added that consumers should not regard non-organic produce as “second best”.
The Environment Secretary was accused of backtracking after a “very careless remark”. Robin Maynard, a spokesman for the Soil Association, said his organisation had written to Miliband listing the scientific evidence it found backing claims that organic produce was healthier.
He added: “He is trying to row back from a very careless remark he made when he talked about consumers making a ‘lifestyle choice’ which was deeply patronising.
“But he has not answered our questions - we sent him a rather detailed letter setting out the evidence coming from his own department about the health benefits.”
