Breaking the link between economic growth and environmental damage is the key theme of a discussion document launched by Defra Minister Lord Whitty and DTI Minister Stephen Timms on Thursday.
Key proposals include breaking the link between economic growth and environmental pollution, considering the whole life-cycle of a product, from design to disposal, to help reduce its effect on the environment and enabling consumers to receive more information on products and services. Lord Whitty said, "This the first step in a long journey to encourage a progressive economy which continues to provide us with high living standards, but at the same time helps reduce pollution, waste mountains and other environmental degradation".
Usdaw, the biggest union in the retail sector, welcomed the decision by the Competition Commission that gives the green light to a merger of supermarket chains Morrisons and Safeway. Sir Bill Connor, General Secretary of Usdaw, which represents about 34,000 members in the two companies, said the Morrisons bid offered the best opportunities for staff in both businesses.
He said: "We have worked closely with Morrisons and Safeway for a number of years. We always felt the proposed merger of the two was in the best interests of our members.
"This has been an unsettling time and it is now important to bring the merger to a final conclusion as soon as possible so that shopworkers can stop worrying and get on with their jobs."
The apple harvest is in full swing, having started two weeks earlier than usual, in some cases as early as the first week of August. The record-breaking temperatures this summer have led to ideal growing conditions in British orchards, meaning that the apples will be bursting with flavour, with an intense taste thanks to high sugar and acid levels.
More than 150,000 tonnes of apples will be harvested this year from British orchards. Over half the acreage of UK dessert apple orchards are devoted to Coxs Orange Pippin, and 95 per cent of cooking apples sold are Bramley. Sadly, only a third of apples sold in Britain are home-grown.
The centuries-long tradition of British orchards producing delicious apple varieties will be celebrated in Trafalgar Square, London on 12 October. Orchards have helped shaped much of the landscape in the South East and a mini-orchard will be recreated for the event.
