EXCERPTS: "Sainsbury's have the proof that going non-GM in milk is both practical and popular, and so should be looking to make all their own-brand milk non-GM."

Sainsbury's own-brand milk currently comes from cows fed on imported GM animal feed. Although the company claims to lead its rivals in providing quality food, Sainsbury's is supporting the import of thousands of tonnes of GM feed into the UK every month. Yet the company is in a position to take the lead in making the UK entirely GM-free by ditching GM feed for sustainable non-GM alternatives.
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Sainsbury's expand sales of non-GM milk

Thursday August 26th 2004 - Supermarket giant Sainsbury's today announced that it would be expanding its trial of non-GM milk to over 190 stores by Christmas 2004.

Earlier in the summer Sainsbury's announced plans for a limited trial of non-GM milk in 105 stores in the South of England to examine how well the product sold. The decision to almost double the size of trial comes as a result of "very encouraging" sales of the non-GM milk.

Sainsbury's own-brand milk currently comes from cows fed on imported GM animal feed. Although the company claims to lead its rivals in providing quality food, Sainsbury's is supporting the import of thousands of tonnes of GM feed into the UK every month. Yet the company is in a position to take the lead in making the UK entirely GM-free by ditching GM feed for sustainable non-GM alternatives.

Greenpeace Campaigner Ben Ayliffe said, "This is a positive step and just goes to show how strong the demand is for non-GM milk. Sainsbury's have the proof that going non-GM in milk is both practical and popular, and so should be looking to make all their own-brand milk non-GM."

Sainsbury's have also announced that in future they will only be buying milk from two designated dairies, in a move designed to create a more sustainable milk supply and to support dairy farmers.

Ben Ayliffe added, "Sainsbury's are putting in place a system that should ensure a fairer deal for farmers and provide increased traceability. There is no reason why this system can't be used to make sure all their own-brand milk comes from non-GM fed cows."

ENDS

For more information call 020 7865 8282
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For Sainsbury's statements:
http://www.j-sainsburys.co.uk/index.asp?PageID=19&subsection=&Year=> 2004&NewsID=475

and

http://www.j-sainsburys.co.uk/index.asp?PageID=19&subsection=&Year=> 2004&NewsID=476