Damning Verdict From Consumers on M&S Meat Labelling

LONDON, March 20/PRNewswire/ --

Unite, Britain's biggest union, is today (20th March) calling on M&S to
clearly label all meat products in the interests of consumers and workers in
M&S's supply chain, as a survey of 1100 people reveals a damning verdict on
M&S meat labelling. Demonstrations will be held today outside Ipswich Marks
and Spencers, near Sir Stuart Rose's home town of Woodbridge. The
demonstration is part of rolling action outside M&S outlets across the UK and
the Republic of Ireland today . (see notes to editors).

M&S prominently labels British meat on the front of the packet but uses a
small label on the side or back if the meat is from Brazil or Thailand. 62%
of respondents said that if they had learnt that they had unknowingly bought
meat or meat products that were sourced in Thailand or Brazil they would
change their shopping preference to another retailer. Unite is also calling
on M&S to clearly label and state how old all meat products are. 85% of
respondents said they would be unhappy if their meat was sourced from
Thailand and 70% said they would be unhappy if it was sourced from Brazil.

Retailers like M&S are using imported meat from Brazil and Thailand. The
union believes the increase of meat imports is putting pressure on the
conditions for low paid workers in the UK who are employed in the meat supply
chain.

Often the M&S label does not tell consumers when the animal was
slaughtered, or what processes it has been through before arriving at the
store, for example freezing. This is despite the fact that 75% of respondents
who buy meat or meat products that are not frozen, generally assume that they
have never been frozen. 90% of respondents would express disappointment if
some meat products that appear to be fresh, had undergone processes such as
chilling, freezing or cooking, either in the UK or abroad.

Tony Woodley, Unite joint general secretary says,

"Unite is calling on M&S to clearly label all meat products in the
interests of consumers and workers in M&S's supply chain. The increase of
meat imports is putting pressure on already vulnerable low paid workers in
the UK who are employed in the meat supply chain. If however, M&S clearly
labelled their products in the interests of consumers, low paid UK workers
would benefit too."

Unite has evidence that there is widespread discrimination in the
treatment of workers in the UK meat supply chain. A permanent two tier
workforce amongst many suppliers has been created, causing conflict between
migrant and indigenous workers and contributing to community disharmony. As
M&S claims to be one of the leading ethical supermarkets, the union is
calling on it to agree to a minimum standards agreement to address this
issue.

In the survey, 92% of the sample agreed with the statement that 'it is
the responsibility of supermarkets to ensure that workers in their supply
chain are treated ethically'. With only 3% disagreeing with the statement.
Despite talks and independent research which backs the workers' claims, M&S
has failed to take effective action by insisting that the meat supply
industry stops exploiting its workforce.

The survey of 1100 people also revealed that 65% of respondents expect
M&S to have higher ethical standards than other retailers with regard to
workers in their supply chain. A greater proportion of M&S customers (72%)
expected higher ethical standards.

Demonstrations will also take place in Korea, Romania, Poland and
Bermuda.These actions form part of a rolling programme of international
action organised through the International Union of Food workers, the global
union of food and agriculture workers to which Unite is affiliated.

This is not just about workers in the UK and Republic of Ireland this is
a global organising strategy. Unite is working with the IUF to protect all
workers' terms and conditions, to prevent companies like M&S driving down
conditions and sending workers on a race to the bottom.

Notes to Editors

The demos will take place between 11.00am and 1.00pm on 20th March. Unite
officials will be available for interview outside the following outlets.

Store Address

Ipswich 6 West-gate Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3EF
Bristol 78 Broadmead, Bristol, Avon, BS1 3DS
Dublin Grafton Street, Dublin 2
Cardiff 72 Queen Street, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF10 2XG
Birmingham 28-40 High Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B17 0HT
Manchester 7 Market Street, Manchester M1 1WT
Edinburgh 54 Princes Street, Edinburgh, Lothian, EH2 2DQ
Leeds 47 Briggate, Leeds LS1 6HF

Source: Unite the Union

Contact Ciaran Naidoo +44(0)7768-931-315

2008-03-19 19:02:35 0316791 PRNEWSWIRE