The UK Food and Drinks Transport Costs survey, a study commissioned by the Department for Transport, is gaining support from UK supermarkets and food manufacturers alike.
So far nearly 4,000 vehicles are participating in the scheme, according to Scala Consulting, the company commissioned to investigate the effect of ‘food miles’ on the UK transport system and the environment.
David Cheesewright chief operating officer of Asda said he fully supports the new initiative. “I encourage our colleagues across the Food and Drink Supply Chain to take part in this important Survey.
“It is important to see how productivity and efficiency gains have been achieved since 2002 and to identify what more needs to be done particularly in the areas of carbon emission and empty running reduction and increasing fuel efficiency and best value.” Similar surveys were conducted in 1998 and 2002.
Scala’s project manager for the DfT survey, Graham Stubs, said “We are delighted to have this support from retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and logistics companies. We are already confident that the number of companies will exceed those in the DfT survey four years ago; in fact the number of vehicles is already 25 per cent higher than in 2002.”
