§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will carry out a lifecycle analysis of the environmental impact of typical(a) vegetarian and (b) non-vegetarian diets; and if she will make a statement. [188081]
§ Alun MichaelThe Government's broad approach to the challenges of sustainable consumption and production is set out in the framework document, "Changing Patterns", published last year. Part of the approach is to base policy development on evidence about the whole life-cycle of products and services in the economy, to help optimise the use of natural resources and minimise overall environmental impacts. Production and consumption patterns in the food chain have significant implications for resource use and for the environment, so this area will be an important part of my Department's work to build up a robust evidence 1925W base for future policy. Officials are reviewing the body of research presently available, to help us reach a view on what further work may be desirable.