Ethical barbecuing

Barbecuing isn't the most environmentally-friendly method of cooking but, come those long warm summer evenings, it is something we are going to want to do. So how can we make it as ethical as we can?

The problems with barbecues

• Barbecues contribute to the destruction of the Indonesian and Amazonian rainforests. Lumpwood and briquette charcoal is produced from illegal logging in rainforests in South America. We use 40,000 tonnes of charcoal in the UK each year, and 97% is estimated to come from non-sustainable sources.
• In South East Asia, the spread of palm oil plantations is threatening the natural habitat of the orang-utan, Sumatran tiger and the Asian elephant as forest is sacrificed to make way for palm oil plantations. Palm oil is found in one in three food products on the supermarket shelves, including bread, crisps, burgers and mayonnaise.
• Four out of five retailers of garden furniture in the UK were implicated in the destruction of tropical rainforests.

What you can do

Charcoal

Approximately 90% of barbecue charcoal sold in the UK each year is imported, and most is made from tropical forests. This is despite the fact that our own woodlands have the potential to meet this demand sustainably. Coppicing UK woodlands for charcoal production encourages wildlife, and supports local employment and traditional industry.
The BioRegional Charcoal Company has co-ordinated local charcoal producers and won contracts to supply big retailers such as B&Q.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world's forests. It operates a system of forest certification and product labelling that allows consumers to identify wood-based products from well-managed forests.

• Choose organic, locally-sourced meat, vegetables and salads from farm shops and farmers' markets. See the Buy Local Food website.
• Small "coldwater" prawns from temperate sources are generally less damaging than "warmwater" prawns. Look for guarantees that the prawns come from sustainable sources and demand evidence. See The Environmental Justice Foundation's Consumer Guide to Prawns

Furniture

Buy any wooden furniture from reclaimed or recycled sources. Make sure that any newly purchased furniture is from FSC timber. Much tropical hardwood sold in this country is illegally logged

Barbecue saftey reminder

• Keep children and pets well away.
• Use only proprietary barbecue lighters to fire the barbecue, not paraffin or petrol.
• Barbecues can be a risk if left unattended. Never try to move the barbecue whilst it is burning, and ensure the coals are extinguished when cooking has ended.
• Ensure the coals are glowing red with grey edges before attempting to cook food.
• Wash your hands prior to handling food and ensure that all utensils are clean and in good condition.
• Defrost frozen meats and poultry in the fridge or follow the producer's instructions for cooking.
• Use separate utensils and dishes for raw and cooked foods.
• Do not put cooked foods on a plate which has held raw meats (cross-contamination) without washing it first in hot soapy water.
• Store salads etc in the refrigerator until ready to be eaten.
• Pre-cook thick meats like chicken and chops in the oven, then finish on the barbecue.