Sustainable development

Sustainable development is about enabling people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life, without compromising the quality of life of future generations and the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The concept of sustainable development encompasses four key elements, often referred to as 'pillars':

• social progress
• environmental protection
• prudent use of natural resources
• economic growth and employment

Sustainable practices should offer benefits in all four of these areas.

The Agency's approach to sustainable development is linked to its remit of protecting the interests of consumers in relation to food.

In taking forward its remit the Agency will take sustainable development into account in all of its activities and policy decisions.

The Agency's Board adopted its policy on sustainable development at its meeting in Belfast in October 2004.

Further targets on sustainable development have been set in the Agency's 2005-2010 Strategic Plan.

The Agency's policy on sustainable development does not change its remit.

Protecting consumers in relation to food safety and standards, and helping them to make informed choices, including in relation to nutrition and healthy eating, will remain the Agency's key areas of concern.

Matters such as the promotion of sustainable food production, environmental protection and economic growth, remain for other departments, including in the devolved administrations, to take forward as part of their remits.

The Agency is currently developing and implementing a comprehensive programme of work to embed sustainable development considerations into all of its activities.

This programme of work is designed to ensure that the Agency takes account of sustainable development in the way it:

• takes forward its remit ' through our policy and decision making
• runs its business ' through how we manage our estate and the way we treat our staff

The Agency has developed an Action Plan based on the UK Government Sustainable Development Strategy and the Agency's Strategic Plan 2005-2010.

The plan outlines the Agency's vision in relation to sustainable development and then explains how it will achieve this.

It is an evolving document and the Agency welcomes the views of staff and stakeholders at anytime. In June 2007, a progress report on the plan was published. You can find a link to it below.

To find out more about sustainable development in Agency policy making, contact Karen Dell on 020 7276 8481.
Email: karen.dell@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

To find out more about sustainable development in Agency estates management, contact Aadil Bashir on 020 7276 8001
Email: aadil.bashir@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk