A strategy to tackle the impact of the food industry on precious resources, such as energy and water, and its contribution to climate change, was published last week. The Food Industry Sustainability Strategy has been developed by Defra in partnership with the food and drink industry and others. It aims to improve the industry's environmental, social and economic performance, by developing a strong partnership between government and industry. It addresses all sectors of the food industry, beyond the farm gate to the consumer's plate. The strategy's ambitions are for the industry as a whole to: Reduce its carbon emissions by 20% by 2010 against a 1990 baseline; Reduce water use by 10-15% by 2010 and by 20-25% in the South East of England; Significantly reduce the environmental and social costs of its domestic food transportation by 2012; and, for the food manufacturing sector to reduce its food waste by 15-20% by 2010. To read the Strategy, visit

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