Immediate release: Monday 20th December 1999
UK Supermarkets Move Out of GM-fed Animal Products
UK's largest retailer, Tesco, pulling out in 2000
A new survey of British supermarkets [1] by Greenpeace has revealed that
major food retailers are rushing to source meat, eggs and dairy products
from non-GM fed animals to counter widespread customer concern. Tesco, the
largest food retailer in the UK with an annual food turnover of £13,678
million, has already written to major international animal feed suppliers,
Cargill and Archer Daniel Midlands, informing them of their intention to
obtain the "complete elimination of GM ingredients from animal feed." [2].
Although imports of GM soya and maize into Europe have fallen due to
widespread customer resistance, huge quantities of GM crops are still
shipped in to feed animals. In 1998, 6.5 million metric tonnes of US soya
was imported into the EU - the vast majority destined for animal feed. The
decision by major food retailers to insist on animal products from non-GM
sources will have a major impact on agriculture in the USA, Canada and
Argentina (the major GM-crop growing countries) whilst bringing good news
to GM-free farmers in Brazil and Europe.
John Sauven, Campaign Director at Greenpeace, said: "British
supermarkets are racing to rid themselves of the last vestiges of GM
contamination as a result of direct consumer pressure. GM animal feed has
become a key target in the battle against genetic contamination in Europe.
Farmers in the USA and Canada should switch to non-GM crops before their
multi-billion dollar international market evaporates."
The supermarket chain Iceland has stated that the ban on genetically
modified ingredients in the feed given to its whole range of fresh and
frozen poultry will take effect from February, 2000. Iceland is second to
Tesco in poultry sales. Iceland predicts its switch to non-GM animal feed
will ensure non-GM supplies across Europe. The Sainsbury's supermarket
chain said "it was inevitable that we should turn our attention to the
presence of GM constituents in animal feedstuffs."
John Sauven continued: "The sudden rush by UK food retailers to
abandon GM animal feed is a decisive blow to the biotechnology industry and
the multinationals who seek to shove GM products down the throats of
Europeans. This Christmas may be the last that we have to put up with
GM-fed turkey on the menu and will bring good news for farmers around the
world who are GM-free."
The Greenpeace survey was based on correspondence and telephone calls with
all of the UK's major food retailers during October, November and December
1999. Full results are available from Greenpeace along with copies of all
correspondence.
Contact:
John Sauven 07712 299 484
Blake Lee-Harwood 0171 865 8256 07801 212969 (m)