Plane logos criticised

Last Modified: 03 Sep 2007
Source: ITN

The Co-op group has described the use of plane logos on air-freighted food as "lazy thinking".

It says the symbols can wrongly imply products such as Kenyan roses are worse for the environment than those transported by sea.

The Co-op said the retail sector had a "lack of joined-up thinking" about both environmental and development issues.

It is launching a three-month consultation of its 4 million members to shape the development of its stores' ethical policy.

The consultation will ask respondents for their views on the direction Co-op stores should take on a number of issues.

It will weigh up the need to reduce food miles with the impact this could have on producers in the developing world.

The Co-op Group's head of ethics and sustainability Paul Monaghan said the aeroplane logos could put people off buying Kenyan roses, to the detriment of Kenyan flower growers.

Mr Monaghan said: "We worry that there is a whole series of decisions like this which are being taken which are wrong because people aren't joining the issues up."

Tesco and Marks & Spencer have both introduced plane logos to show which products have been flown into the UK.

Co-operative Trading Group chief executive Peter Marks said: "We are determined not to pursue lazy thinking, such as air plane logos on air-freighted produce, and instead take a more considered approach - one consistent with a business that was founded to tackle responsible retailing from the outset."

Ballot boxes will appear at the Co-op's 2,700 food stores for the duration of its consultation.

Members pay a token £1 fee which gives them a say in how the business develops.

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