The government stepped into a mounting row over air freight and "food miles" yesterday by accusing the Soil Association of endangering the livelihoods of 21,000 farmers in Africa.

But the organic certifying organisation hit back last night accusing ministers and supermarkets of making "outrageous" claims in a self-interested bid to stop higher ethical standards being introduced through its proposed new labelling scheme aimed at cutting carbon emissions.

Gareth Thomas, a minister for the Department for International Development, urged the Soil Association not to adopt its new code on air freight, saying it would threaten producers in the poorest regions of Africa already hit by soaring food prices. ... Read full article