Tell M&S "No!" to GM animal feed
GM just doesn't fit with Plan A
In June 2010 our GfK/NOP poll showed 89% of shoppers want a label on GM-fed animal products.
So in June 2010 GM Freeze wrote to the supermarkets listed below and asked them about their policy on [non-GM animal feed], labels and which lines they sell as non-GM fed. Their replies are summarised below with a comparison to previous policies. A chart of non-GM fed products is here.
NB: In April 2013 many supermarkets abandonned commitments to non-GM feed.
By Supermarket:
Aldi |
|
Previous position 2009: "Our current policy regarding GM food sold under Aldi brands is as follows: 2010 Position "In light of EFSA's opinions, and in the absence of any evidence that the customer is adversely affected by the use of GM animal feeds, we are not currently minded to exclude their use...I regret I am not able to forward to you a list of our non-organic products which were produced without the use of GM feeds." GM Freeze says This is a complete reversal of a good policy in less than a year. |
Asda |
|
Previous position 2000: Said it is "removing" GM from animal feed.> 2001: Announced intention to move to non-GM fed fish, poultry, pork and eggs: "Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of how the food they eat is produced and want, more than ever, to buy products from animals reared on a non-GM diet. If other retailers follow suit, non-GM animal feed will become the industry standard and the premium charged for it will diminish, as well as the costs to retailers and producers."> 2010 Position "Following the British Poultry Council's letter to the British Retail Consortium last year, where the industry stated that it would no longer be able to guarantee the absence of GM from early 2010, and the British Egg Industry Council's identical position, we believe it is sensible to inform customers if they want to be completely assured that the meat and dairy products they purchase have not been fed on GM animal feed they should only purchase organic certified products."+ 2011 Position Asda has been misleading customers on GM feed. In June 2011 Asda wrote to customers, "I can confirm that all of Asda's own brand beef, pork, lamb, chicken, frozen foods, eggs, milk and cheese come from animals not fed GM feed." This is a significant change of policy from 2010, when it were saying if you want non-GM fed, you should buy organic. This was queried and confirmed by customer services. In July attempts by a journalist to re-confirm this position revealed that it is not true. Asda then said, "...none of the major retailers, including Asda, have ever had a non-GM feed commitment for their meat and dairy products", and add if customers want non-GM fed, they should buy organic. GM Freeze says It is disturbing that when customers asked for confirmation of the policy it was confirmed, but when a journalist asked the story changed. |
Budgens |
|
Previous position 2009: No GM ingredients, but no clear policy on GM animal feed. 2010 Position Unknown/no response. |
CWS (Co-op) |
|
Previous position 2009: "I am able to confirm that our range of eggs, chicken, turkey, farmed fish and New Zealand Lamb are fed a diet sourced from non-GM soya and maize. We are continuing to work with our suppliers of other animal products to introduce sources of non-GM crops where possible." 2010 Position "[Our] work has confirmed that sourcing all meat and dairy products form animals fed on non-GM diets in not currently practical." [refers to products listed below] Jan 2011: “Our policy is to eliminate GM crops from the diets of animals reared for Co-op Brand products at no extra cost to our customers.” GM Freeze says The Co-op has made substantial moves, is working on its beef and dairy ranges, and should be encouraged. |
Iceland |
|
Previous position 2000: Announced all its livestock for primary meat production is now reared on a non-GM diet.> 2009: "We understand that materials from genetically modified crops may often be used in animal feed. We will continue to review this issue and monitor the Food Standards Agency (FSA) assurances that, 'Food from animals fed on these crops is as safe as food from animals fed on non-GM crops. FSA April 2008'... We know that GM is an area that is of interest to our customers and as such we continue to monitor the debate closely." 2010 Position Unknown/no response. |
Lidl |
|
Previous position 2009: "We endeavour, where possible, to use non-genetically modified crops in the feedstuffs fed to the animals used to produce our meat...In addition, we continually review our labels to ensure that our packaging includes the clear, detailed information sought after by our customers...We will continue to monitor the animal feed supply chain situation, the relevant regulations and all customer comments so as to ensure that we are selling products in line with our customer's demand." 2010 Position Unknown/no response. |
Marks and Spencer |
|
Previous position 2000: Said it is "removing" GM from animal feed.> 2009: "With regard to animal feed, we have...maintained a policy of ensuring that the cereal and protein elements of the animal's diet are only from non-GM sources. Despite changes in legislation, we have maintained this position since 2002 across all our fresh chicken, turkey, duck, goose, beef, lamb, veal, venison, milk, salmon, trout and prawns... We work closely with our dedicated producers securing non-GM sources of animal feed, and are constantly reviewing the availability and sustainability of various crop/country combinations." 2010 Position Unknown/no response. GM Freeze says Marks and Spencer has a good record on these issues, but they have not developed them in years and could do more. It is a worry that M&S have joined the controversial RTRS*, which aims to label GM soya "responsible". |
Morrisons |
|
In March 2012 Morrisons abandonned their non-GM feed policy for poultry. 2010 Position "In line with many of our retail competitors, we can make no guarantee that GM feed is not used in the supply chain for other products derived from animals or containing animal ingredients." [referring to list included at link above] |
Netto |
|
Previous position 2009: Netto MD asked customer, "I would be obliged if you could advise me which products sold within our stores are affected by this matter." 2010 Position Unknown/no response. |
Sainsbury's |
|
Previous position 2000: Said it is "removing" or "intends to remove" GM from animal feed.> 2009: "We stock a choice of meat and dairy products sourced from livestock which have been fed a diet of non-GM soya and maize proteins. These include...farmed salmon, fresh outdoor reared pork and 21-day matured beef from our Taste the Difference range, traditional beef, outdoor reared bacon, all our fresh and frozen chicken and all our eggs from non-caged hens. Our Farm Promise milk is from dairy cattle fed a non-GM diet." 2010 Position CEO Justin King referred GM Freeze to a web page about "Engagement and Recognition" of staff. No response to request for clarification. Meeting with Sainsbury's confirmed list of products at link above. |
Tesco |
|
Previous position 1999: Wrote to animal feed suppliers about the intention of "complete elimination of GM ingredients from animal feed". (Greenpeace) 2001: Announced they would "phase out" GM-fed eggs, poultry, pork and fish.> 2009: "The farming community have told us that to extend the range of meat and dairy products we sell from animals fed on non-GM would put immense pressure on them." 2010 Position "Unfortunately, because of the vast amount of products we sell, and the turn around on them, we do not have a specific list of products that come from animals that have not been fed on GM feed."+ GM Freeze says Tesco is effectively admitting that it is unwilling to harness its enormous buying power to help secure non-GM feed supplies and that it is either unable or unwilling to list what does go into its meat and milk. |
Waitrose |
|
Previous position 2000: Said they "are removing" GM from animal feed.> 2009: "It is the Waitrose objective to use non-genetically modified crops in animal feedstuffs, where it is commercially viable to do so, from sustainable assured supplies." 2010 Position Unknown/no response. Waitrose has started saying, "We are working to sustainably source a greater amount of non-soya based animal feed from the UK." GM Freeze says A commitment to lessen dependence on soya is good, but it would be good if Waitrose could do it more quickly than the 11 years they've been "removing" GM from animal feed. Waitrose has also joined the controversial RTRS*, which aims to label GM soya "responsible". |
Key to codes:+ = email to customer > = press articles unless otherwise keyed as above, communications to GM Freeze * for more on the RTRS see: "RTRS labels for soybeans are misleading - Supermarkets urged to adopt an honest approach" (**8 June 2010)
and Open Letter: Growing Opposition to Round Table on Responsible Soy (June 2010) |