Partly

Provides summary results but not broken down by food type or by month. (Previously used to give summary reports similar in format to those produced by Marks & Spencer).

Testing results: 2007/08 CSR report gives summary annual averages for 2003-2007, incl. samples containing residues of pesticides banned by Co-op and those in their prohibited list which were used without prior permission. Results over 2003-07 showed: -MRL exceedance cases declined from 4 to 0 cases -Samples containing residues decreased from 42% to 26%

Sampling & data: Monthly testing by independent laboratory, totalling 180-270 samples per year.
Website gives info about residue legislation and how this is controlled.

Yes

Results published since 2002. Publishes results for periods of 1-4 months. Latest results available: Dec 2007- Mar 2008.

Report content:
-Number & categories of food sampled and tables & piechart showing: number of samples without detected residues; number with residues below legal limits; number above legal limits.
-Info on foodstuff & origin of any contaminated organic samples or MRL exceedences, plus follow-up action taken with suppliers.
Samples containing residues range from 21%-44% (avg. 32.5%) since Jan. 2006, with MRL exceedance from 0-2% (avg. 0.47%).

Sampling & data:
-Tested by independent laboratory buying samples from M&S stores. -6 food categories sampled in each period, always incl. veg; fruits; salads; potatoes.
-At least 155 different pesticides tested for and info given to what concentration tests can detect residues. Detection limit made more demanding from 2007.

No

Sampling & data: Ongoing programme of residues monitoring. Improved focus in sampling programme for 2008/09.

Partly

Does not give detailed testing results but provides summary figures in its recent CSR reports:

2006 report:
 • Halved MRL exceedance during ‘05-’06.
 • Reduced residues in produce from 53% in ’04-’05 to 50%
 • MRL exceedance in 2% samples in ’05-’06.
No residues found in organic samples.

2008 report:
 • Currently 98% herbicide residue-free on primary fruit & vegetables, excl. salads.
 • Estimate 60% fresh produce free of insecticide residues and 40% achieved improvement in ’07.
 • Good progress on fungicide residue reduction in UK-grown vegetables & salads but major challenges in imported produce.

States that they provide quarterly reports on progress but these were not available on website during 2008. CSR 2008 states “we are now exploring how to make this information easily accessible to our key stakeholders”.

Sampling & data: Monitoring programme targets own sampling at products and countries company considers highest risk. By 2008 established database of over 1 million pesticide residue tests on over 5,000 products. “Using the results from this database and information from our Crop Action Groups we are able to report our progress in reducing insecticide, herbicide and fungicide residues”. Since summer 2008, website provides useful case examples and quotes from growers & suppliers on challenges and progress in residue reduction

No

Sampling & data: Info on Lancaster University’s Waitrose Centre website states “At present information from the supply chain on the use of chemicals is annually collected by Waitrose, but it is not really used as a management tool”. Centre recommends company to adopt management tools to score pesticides on hazards, identify problem areas, priority measures & assess which areas of supply can move towards zero residues.

None mentioned

Mentions that all their suppliers have undergone a strict audit on food safety, but no specific mention of residues.

None mentioned to reduce residues, only to improve monitoring:

2008 target: Review residue testing programme to increase scope, deliver better result analysis and improved online reporting.

Co-op’s 65 tier 1 suppliers work with their growers to ensure compliance with Co-op pesticide policy and that MRLs not exceeded.

Yes

Long-term aspiration to sell ‘residue free’ produce.

Interim targets for % of produce free of residues: Vegetables 90%; Salads 80%; Potatoes 80%; Fruit 60%

Progress made: 2006/07 results showed average 74% food was residue-free: Vegetables 94% ; Salads 84% ; Potatoes 71% ; Fruit 35% ; Organics 92% ; Other 78%

2007/08 results: (data not comparable with previous years as tests conducted to the more demanding levels of 0.01 parts per million in place of 0.05 parts per million). Vegetables 82%; Potatoes 87%; Salads 62%; Fruit 27%; Organic 89%; Other 69%; Total 64%

Working with suppliers to eliminate residues of chlorpyrifos and aldicarb in M&S fresh produce. To monitor progress towards residue-free targets, company works with suppliers, growers and an independent consultancy service to test produce at different stages between production and sale.

No mention of residue reduction plans, only of increased residue monitoring.

2008 CSR report aims: -Increase investment in pesticide residues monitoring through use of a new intelligence-led system to target monitoring in a more responsive and efficient way.
-Enhance compliance testing of imported products, by enforcing more rigorous regime of testing in co-operation with overseas suppliers.

Yes

Residue reduction and elimination aims and targets introduced in 2007 CSR report:
-Commit to becoming residue-free on all fruit, veg & salads.
-Aim to be insecticide and herbicide residue free by end 2008.

New target in 2008 CSR report: -Improve amount of herbicide and insecticide residue-free in primary fruit & veg by end ’08-’09. -Aim to be fungicide residue free on primary fruit & veg, except strawberries & citrus.
Progress made: CSR ’08 report: Partially met targets -60% of all crops are estimated to be insecticide residue free and 40% have achieved significant improvements towards the residue free status during 2007. -Will be approximately 98% herbicide residue free on primary fruit and vegetables and estimate will be 75% herbicide residue free in salad by 2008/09. -Making good progress towards target of fungicide residue free by 2012 across British vegetables and salads.
Controls made: Remove products exceeding MRLs from their shelves and discontinue sourcing from the supplier until satisfactory control measures put in place.
2009 targets: -Improve amount of insecticide residue free* primary fruit and veg by end 2008/09. -Improve amount of herbicide residue free* primary fruit and veg (except salads) by end of 2008/09. -Improve herbicide residue-free status on salads year on year
Challenges: Recognise major challenges for zero insecticide residues in grapes; apples;melon; citrus; soft; exotic fruits. “We are working with our suppliers and growers to increase the amounts of insecticide residue-free produce we can offer to our customers in 2008/09”. -Major challenges exist in a number of fruit categories where fungicide reduction is very complex.

None mentioned for residue reduction, only for monitoring.

2007/08 report: -Suppliers provide information on products tested and we are implementing a robust system to monitor own brand products.

None mentioned

Under general food safety, website states “our own-label branded and exclusive products comply with all relevant consumer legislation and safety standards. Within Waitrose, our technologists also ensure the provenance and traceability of all own-label food”.

Yes

Prohibited list since 2001 with their original supplier guidelines on pesticides. Commit to continuing to be UK’s leading retailer in the removal of substances of concern, particularly additives and pesticides. Via prohibitions, restrictions and monitoring of specific hazardous pesticides against a range of health and environmental criteria.

Hazard criteria: harmful to humans; toxic at very low levels; risk to vulnerable groups esp. babies & children; endocrine disruptors; persistent, bioaccumulative & toxic; carcinogenic; low acceptable daily intake in food; ozone depletion.

Revised Pesticide Policy in 2007 contains 24 banned, 98 ‘prohibited’ and 322 monitored pesticides. Growers must apply for prior permission to use a specific ‘prohibited’ pesticide. Aim to ban more prohibited list pesticides when alternatives are available.

Jan 2009: under Plan Bee campaign, added 8 neonicotinoid insecticides implicated in honeybee colony collapse to its ‘prohibited’ list for crops flowering when bees are active.

Triclosan antibacterial agent removed from own-brand cleaning products in 2002.

Yes

Committed to phasing out any pesticides which may pose risks to health or the environment before they are officially banned. Via prohibitions, restrictions and monitoring of specific hazardous pesticides against a range of health and environmental criteria.

Hazard criteria used: 7 pesticides dangerous to aquatic life; endocrine disrupting chemicals; Rotterdam PIC Convention; anti-cholinesterase nerve toxins; ozone depletion Montreal Protocol; WHO acute toxicity Classes I and II; UK and EU bans and restrictions.
Prohibited list of 60 pesticides introduced in 2001.
Restricted use ‘permission only’ list of 19 pesticides, to be phased out in short-medium term when alternatives found.

5 year targets under ‘Plan A’: -Phase out further 19 pesticides used in fruit, vegetable and salad production by the start of 2010, in addition to the 60 already banned.

2007 CSR report stated ‘Aim to ban 10 of these 19 from Apr’08 and remaining 9 by start of 2010’. However, by early 2009 19 ‘permission only’ list remains the same.

Partly

Commitment but list not available in public domain. “Since 2007 aims to deliver an industry-leading banned and restricted pesticide list, verified by independent experts, by Jul ’07”.
Mentions prohibitions, restrictions and monitoring of specific hazardous pesticides against a range of health and environmental criteria but no info on specific hazard criteria used.

Progress: 2008 report states list of banned and restricted pesticides is industry leading and now adopted throughout Sainsbury’s supply base.

2009 targets: -Update, revise and improve company banned and restricted list of pesticides by Jul’08, to reduce use of older, less specific, higher impact pesticides. -Remove Triclosan from anti-bacterial handwashes by Aug08 and from dental care products by Jan09.

No

2006-07 CSR report: Mentions “300 pesticide uses removed altogether” but does not provide details. ‘Uses’ could refer to the same pesticide on different crops. No info given on hazard or other criteria for removing pesticide uses. No info given on pesticide requirements under Tesco ‘Nature’s Choice’ standard.

No

Waitrose Responsible Sourcing Code of Practice states their suppliers “should abide by international, national and sector codes of practice concerning the use of chemical products, including pesticides”.

Partly

No info on volumes used. No use reduction targets. No info on controls on use.
States “We place a great emphasis on the reduction of the use of chemical pesticides”.

Yes

Use reduction goals although no specific targets. “Co-op policy seeks to reduce the use of pesticides in all of its own-brand fresh and frozen produce”. “Co-op goes to great lengths to keep pesticide use to a minimum and continually raise their bar in their approach to pesticides”. Only company to report on volumes used.
Volumes used: Pesticide volumes purchased by Co-op farms published in ‘2007/08 CSR report. Details volumes of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, molluscicides, adjuvants and growth regulators during ’06-’07 and summarises & explains trend (increase due to high use of molluscicides to control slugs in wet summer ’07, plus increase in acreage farmed).
Controls on use: -Co-op closely monitors use and volumes of pesticides in its supply base through its online system for producers since 2007. -On-line system will help suppliers set targets to reduce usage of monitored and prohibited pesticides. -Regular audits to ensure compliance with company pesticide policy.
Using latest scientific research, Co-op introduced methods to keep use of pesticides, where needed, to an absolute minimum: -Keep abreast of new developments that reduce pesticide volumes needed for adequate control, e.g. seed treatments -Trained staff use state-of the-art equipment to spray safely and accurately, keeping residues to a minimum.

Yes

Use reduction goals, incl. elimination of post-harvest uses in some crops, and controls on pesticide use. No info on volumes used. “We try to limit the amount of pesticides we use, while maintaining a high quality of fresh produce”.
5 year target under ‘Plan A’: -Eliminate the post-harvest usage of pesticides on our fruit, vegetables and salads by 2012.
Controls on use: Detailed Code of Practice issued to all suppliers.
Suppliers asked to implement a Stewardship Programme with their growers to minimise the hazard/risk from using pesticides currently on M&S Restricted List.
Team of M&S food technologists regularly visits suppliers around the world to check on Code of Practice compliance and ensure they maintain company’s high safety standards.

No

No info on volumes used. No use reduction targets.
Assured Produce Scheme or EUREPGAP independently monitor Morrisons growers’ control and use of pesticides.

Yes

Seek to reduce pesticides in own-brand food to minimise negative environmental impacts and to ensure worker health & safety. No info on volumes used.
2006 CSR aim: Reduce use of pesticides in own-brand food.
New targets in 2008 CSR report: -Aim to reduce fungicide use in key areas by 2012.
Challenges: -Mentions possible conflicting consequences of reducing pesticide use and residues if this results in importing produce with greater food miles or higher energy use. -Will assess wider sustainability impacts of pesticide use and residue reduction efforts in fruit and vegetable categories using the Accounting for Sustainability tool and report findings in 2009.

Partly

No info on volumes used and no specific use reduction targets.
Targets for 2007-08: Promote IPM to suppliers to reduce pesticide use.

Partly

No info on volumes used. No use reduction targets.
Use reduction: 2006-07 CSR report: -Put 1,750 extra controls in place to reduce pesticide levels
Controls on using pesticides 2006-07 CSR report: -Completed review of 12,600 pesticides used in Tesco supply base. -Put 1,750 extra controls in place to reduce pesticide levels. -Audited pesticide use of all its growers.
2008 CSR report: Issued 40 warnings to suppliers for breaches of Tesco environmental standards relating to pesticide use.

Partly

No info on volumes used. No use reduction targets or progress reports. 2007 CSR report: “Waitrose high standards of environmental stewardship under LEAF Marque include minimising use of pesticides and demonstrate continuous improvements year on year”.

Partly

Farming policy: Corporate sponsor of LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) Marque certification scheme.
IPM strategy? Emphasis on reduction in use of chemical pesticides so fresh produce can be grown with minimal impact on the environment and in the most sustainable way.
Alternative methods: Very brief example of using ladybirds to combat the spread of aphids on cabbage crops.

Yes

Farming policy: Ethical food policy.
IPM strategy? Use Integrated Crop Management techniques, along with expert advice and training for Co-op farmers and farm workers to ensure pesticides used responsibly and with least possible impact on environment. Policy determines that the use of pesticides by growers should be considered only as a last resort, when the use of preventative measures (such as land choice, crop rotation and crop hygiene, and cultural and biological controls) have been fully explored with limited success.
Alternative methods: Employ range of techniques to reduce or eliminate need for pesticides: -Crop varieties better able to resist or tolerate pests. -Knowledge about crop conditions to grow healthy, strong plants which can withstand a greater pest burden. -Encourage habitats of pest predators that can naturally control damaging species and have a greater understanding of the role they play. -Use pest population thresholds to calculate acceptable population levels before control is needed. -Specialist prediction systems to forecast whether pests will be damaging later in season, enabling early action with reduced levels of pesticides.

Yes

Farming policy: Fresh produce growers must comply with M&S comprehensive ‘Field to Fork’ code of practice for how they deal with the environment, food safety and packing their produce, as well as use of pesticides and organic production. In 2008 included key elements of the LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) Marque environmental standard into their own ‘Field-to-Fork’ standards.
IPM strategy? Promote use of Integrated Crop Management, which combines modern technology with traditional methods. M&S encourages farmers to control pests without pesticides, monitor crops regularly so they don’t use pesticides until necessary, and only use pesticides if all other methods don’t work.
Alternative methods: No info given on IPM methods or case studies.

No info

Farming policy: 2008 CSR report: 100% of fresh produce suppliers are Assured Produce/EUREPGAP certified.

IPM strategy? No mention of pest management strategy.

Alternative methods: No info given on IPM methods or case studies.

Yes

Farming policy: Since 2008 source 100% Assured Produce Scheme for UK supply. By 2008, 98% GlobalGAP certified for the rest of the world produce. Working with remaining 2%, who are new suppliers, to achieve certification.
IPM strategy? Aim for pesticide use to be the last option for crop pest control as part of an integrated crop management system.
Alternative methods: From 2007 aim to use natural alternatives wherever possible. No info on IPM methods used or progress made on company website but collaboration on biological control mentioned in presentations and articles.

Yes

Farming policy: 100% of produce suppliers are working to the Assured Produce and GlobalGAP schemes for pest management.
IPM strategy? Fresh fruit and vegetables grown to an integrated crop management and where possible, biological control system, which promotes best agricultural practice and reduces dependence on pesticides. Target for 2007/8 was to promote Integrated Pest Management to suppliers to reduce pesticide use. 2007/08 achievements: “30% of all produce sold is now protected using IPM methods and we are working on IPM protocol systems. Growers are continually working with assurance schemes plus advisory bodies to improve performance of such systems”.
Alternative methods: No info on IPM methods used or case studies

Partly

Farming policy: ‘Nature’s Choice’ is Tesco’s own integrated farm management scheme, introduced in 1992. It sets environmental standards and specifies shape, size, taste, variety and shelf life requirements. Scheme includes rational use of plant protection products. 2008 progress: All of Tesco’s 12,000 suppliers now registered and suppliers comply with Nature’s Choice standards.
IPM strategy? No info given on pest management requirements under ‘Nature’s Choice’. ‘Nurture’ standard published Jan’09 states ‘rational use of artificial pesticides’
Alternative methods: Brief example given of one Nature’s Choice UK fruit grower creating wildflower meadows and strips between the rows in newly planted orchards to attract predators of the insects that can cause problems growing high-quality apples. ‘Nurture’ standard states they champion the use of natural methods, such as solar radiation of soils to eradicate pests.

Yes

Farming policy: In 2007 committed that by 2010 all its conventional fresh, prepared and frozen fruit, vegetables and flowers will be grown to high environmental standards, using sustainable methods (LEAF Marque scheme). “We are the only UK retailer to insist all our British fruit and vegetable growers adopt the LEAF certification standard. The LEAFMarque has appeared on all our UK produce for two years, and all our major British flower suppliers have been LEAF accredited since May 2008”. (CSR report ’08). 2008 target specifies that by 2010, ensure the whole Waitrose supply base worldwide for conventional fruit, vegetables and horticulture is LEAF accredited.
IPM strategy? Aim to use the best farming techniques for the environment, such as Integrated Crop Management (ICM), which ensures the best site selection and minimal use of chemicals.
Alternative methods: Mentions encouraging natural predators as part of environmental stewardship under LEAF. ICM techniques like ‘spraying to threshold’, when pesticides are only used once pests exceed a predetermined level, are applied on Waitrose estate at Leckford. Brief case study of Ghana pineapple farm working towards LEAF certification leaving uncultivated strips along borders to provide habitat for predatory insects, which could reduce need for pesticides. Case study on flower production (under Waitrose Home & Household webpages) gives info on IPM: “a pest control strategy that uses an array of complementary methods whilst minimising the use of conventional pesticides. These methods include mechanical devices, physical devices, biological, cultural management and chemical management. Some of these methods include sticky traps for insects, physical barriers of entry to the crop, predatory species, crop rotations and hormone attractants.These methods are done in three stages of prevention, observation, and finally intervention. It is an ecological approach which aims to significantly reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides”.

Partly

Technical support: Works with a number of their fresh food suppliers to develop ways to keep pests under control in a natural way.
Research collaboration: No info

Yes

Technical support: Launched on-line ‘pesticide portal’ in 2007 to help their growers and suppliers manage pesticide use and serve as learning and audit too, with free training to all fresh produce suppliers in using it. Portal provides opportunity for feedback and comment from suppliers and growers and encourages working together on best practices for reducing pesticide use.
Research collaboration: farmcare farming wing has undertaken IPM and ICM research on Co-op estates and with farmcare growers. Currently collaborate with AgroVista company on crop and pest management trials. Participate in conferences & public forums relating to food safety, Good Agricultural Practice. 2009: Under ‘Plan Bee’, provides £150,000 research funding on pesticide links to bee deaths.

Yes

Technical support: M&S especially wants to help its suppliers minimise multiple residues by offering advice, resources and research opportunities to growers to enable them to avoid using persistent pesticides.In 2006 M&S met with their suppliers to discuss intention to ban the 19 outstanding pesticides on their phase-out list. Launching a Pesticide Residue Reduction Network with suppliers is one of their ‘Plan A’ commitments, since 2006.
Research collaboration: May 2007: announced creation of Expert Group of Independent Pesticide Reduction Specialists to provide solutions to M&S farmers around the world, to further reduce residues. Sept. 2007 held a Pesticide Network conference for key suppliers and industry experts, awarding 3 £5,000 prizes to best supplier projects to reduce pesticide residues. Pesticide Network will help develop best practices, allowing M&S to phase-out additional types of pesticide, including post-harvest applications. Participate in conferences & public forums relating to food safety, Good Agricultural Practice.

Yes

Technical support: Build long term, sustainable relationships with growers and suppliers to identify best practice in pesticide management and reduction, how to support it. Since 2006 work closely with suppliers in category groups to review and share best practice on the use of pesticides. These ‘crop action groups’ are in the second year of a three-year programme of internal surveillance. Some info on crop action group activities and grower and trader experiences provided on webpage. In 2008 reported that by using their database and working in 33 crop action groups,composed of suppliers and growers, Sainsbury’s are changing the way in which their farmers and packers manage crops.
Research collaboration: Collaborates with Real IPM Company to support BASIS crop protection training in Kenya. Collaborates with conventional and organic apple growers to research and trial new pest and crop management methods under ‘Concept Orchard’ programme. Participate in conferences & public forums relating to food safety, Good Agricultural Practice. Collaborates with 500 UK growers and agrochemical company Syngenta on ‘Bumblebee Rescue’ project to improve bee habitat by sowing pollen and nectar rich seed mix along field edges. However, this project makes no mention of pesticide impacts on bees.

No info

Technical support: No info on direct support. “Growers are continually working with assurance schemes such as Assured Produce and Global GAP plus advisory bodies to improve performance of such systems”.

Research collaboration: On pesticide controls but no info on pest management research links: “Somerfield works closely with the Pesticides Safety Directorate and we are represented on the Assured Produce and Global GAP assurance schemes”. Participate in conferences & public forums relating to food safety, Good Agricultural Practice.

Partly

Technical support: No details on pest management provided in their info on training support for Nature’s Choice: “In 2007 adapted Nature’s Choice programme to ensure that smaller growers, especially in developing countries, are not excluded on purely technical grounds if they meet the spirit of the standards. 2008 Promise: develop Nature's Choice programme to help our suppliers, including those in developing countries, raise safety, quality and environmental standards”. For ‘Nurture’ standard, technical team works to help and growers on how to continually raise their standards. Research collaboration: No info on pest management research. Sponsored set up of Tesco Centre for Organic Agriculture at Newcastle University in 2001. Participate in conferences & public forums relating to food safety, Good Agricultural Practice.

Yes

Technical support: No info on pest management in their support for LEAF Marque: “2007: Working at grass roots level to raise environmental standards on farms and plantations around the world through widespread adoption of the LEAF Marque Scheme”.
Research collaboration: Collaborate with the RealIPM Company to introduce methods of pest management that reduce the reliance of developing country flower growers on conventional pesticides. Sponsor and collaborate with several research institutes on IPM and organic pest and crop management studies, esp. in fruit. Waitrose Centre at Lancaster Environment Centre, Univ. Lancaster is a joint initiative with Waitrose and its supply chain in Horticulture. Conducts research and runs Waitrose Responsible Agronomy Course incl. move towards zero residues. Participate in conferences & public forums relating to food safety, Good Agricultural Practice.

Yes

Website has 8 pages of detailed information for the lay-person on pesticide issues: What are pesticides used for?; What is a pesticide?; Benefit versus risk; How is pesticide usage controlled?; Pesticides at home; Who controls pesticides?; Controlling residues; How is safety measured?; All you need to know about organics; Pesticide families in the news; frequently used terms; what is being done to reduce pesticides?; who checks residues in our food?.

Partly

Brief generic info on why pesticides are used. Publishes M&S responses to govt consultations on pesticides. Provides links to govt & NGOs working on pesticide issues.

Partly

Very brief generic info on why pesticides are used. Discusses challenges in pesticide reduction, with quotes from suppliers & growers on progress and challenges.

No

Takes action on reducing waste due to cosmetic appearance standards, but does not mention pesticide use. “Our unique individual on-pack pricing policy means that we are able to sell produce such Unique individual on-pack pricing policy means that we are able to sell produce such as broccoli in sizes that can often be rejected from farmers by other grocery retailers. that which comes in sizes often regarded as cosmetically preferable”.

No

Takes action on reducing waste due to cosmetic appearance standards, but does not mention pesticide use. Launched media and consumer campaign against EU rules on fresh produce appearance in Nov. 2008, to reduce wastage from purely cosmetic purposes.

No

Takes action on reducing waste due to cosmetic appearance standards, but does not mention pesticide use. In 2006 launched a shelf scheme for selling ‘ugly’ fruit and vegetables', i.e. those with some size, shape or colour ‘defects’ that prevent them reaching Grade 1 quality. “We also work collaboratively with our suppliers to ensure our quality and delivery specifications minimise food wastage.We have also endeavoured to accept food that is cosmetically imperfect in order to support our suppliers in the event of unforeseen and difficult weather conditions. For example, last year, a large percentage of the UK apple crop was damaged by hail, but we accepted the fruit for sale and communicated this to our customers” (2008 CSR report)”.