SECOND SUPPLEMENTARY MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED
BY THE NATIONAL FARMERS' UNION (V33)
NFU EVIDENCE TO THE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
As discussed here are some figures in answer
to questions two and three. We have made the carbon-dioxide tonnage
calculations using raw figures from various growers, energy experts
and horticultural consultants. I must point out that these figures
represent our best estimate given the time constraints.
Q2. Details of the analysis of the impact
on CO2 emissions, as a result of extra transport, resulting from
the substitution of UK production by non-UK production
Example of Tomato Imports from Southern Spain/Portugal
UK tomato production produces 2,100 kg of CO2
per tonne of tomatoes. This is based on a non-CHP holding with
no flue gas recycling, so the actual figure could be considerably
lower.
Air freight produces about 1.58 kg of CO2 per
km. The distance to Southern Spain or Portugal (the major areas
for tomato imports) is around 2,000 km. Thus importing one tonne
of tomatoes by air produces 3,160 kg of CO2.
Thus there is an additional CO2 cost of around
1,000 kg CO2 associated with imported tomatoes.
This figure assumes that imported tomatoes are
grown without heat, however it does not include the high-energy
usage associated with water pumping or desalination (which is
required in Southern Spain), which could dramatically increase
CO2 emissions.
Q3. Estimate of emissions, based on flue
gases being stripped and recalculated over the crop
Tomato Example
In most glasshouse horticulture flue gases from
boilers and stripped and the pure CO2 is recirculated over the
crop to increase yield. The 2,100 kg of CO2 produced by non-CHP
production of 1 tonne of tomatoes can be reduced by at least 150
kg per tonne of flue gas recycling.
Growers have informed us that the figure of
CO2 reduction is higher for crops such as chrysanthemums, however
we currently have insufficient data to corroborate this.
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