To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what definition of “significant” was used when setting the aim of significantly reducing the environmental costs of domestic food transportation by 2012 in the sustainable food strategy. (79439)

The word “significant” was used in its common meaning, i.e. important or meaningful. The food industry sustainability strategy provides for a process to be set up with industry

“to consider the practical implications associated with it securing significant reductions (say 20 per cent. by 2012) in the level of external costs associated with the domestic transportation of food.”

An industry-led champions' group will consider the feasibility of this proposed target and determine what additional measures might be necessary to achieve it.