Supermarkets today wield enormous influence over the food we eat and the way that food crops are produced. Many organisations, including PAN UK, are concerned not only about the impact they have on the environment but also on their social impacts, especially how they treat and pay farmers in the cut-throat competition to tempt consumers with the lowest prices. Find out more about campaigns to make supermarkets more accountable for their impacts at the following websites:
www.tescopoly.org.uk
www.breakingthearmlock.com
www.agribusinessaccountability.org
www.AsdaWatch.co.uk

Email your local supermarket
If you would like to encourage your supermarket to improve its policy on pesticide use, why not send an e-mail? 

Below are the customer service emails for some of the major supermarkets in the UK, and some suggestions for what you might want to include – feel free to copy any of this into an email.  We would appreciate if you could email us a copy of your message too (admin@pan-uk.org)

Check out those supermarkets that already publish some information, to see what is already happening.


Suggestions for email text:

I am very concerned about residues of pesticide in my food

I would like to choose food to minimise my intake of pesticides, and so would like more information about this at the point of sale.

I do not believe it is right that farmers are obliged to use high levels of pesticides to eliminate cosmetic blemishes and increase shelf life.  I would prefer to eat food with minor flaws and a shorter shelf life if it means that we can reduce the amount of pesticide that is used.

I am concerned about the exposure of workers (particularly in developing counties), rural residents and environmental damage caused by pesticides.

I would like you to help your suppliers to eliminate the most toxic pesticides and to reduce their dependence on chemical pest control


Supermarket email links