Tesco says it does not buy from rainforest destroyers
SUPERMARKET CHAIN Tesco has denied accusations from Greenpeace that it buys meat from companies contributing to the destruction of the Amazon.
Greenpeace is also calling on the retailer to halve the amount of meat it sells by 2025 to protect wildlife, the climate and people.
According to the environmental group, Tesco is buying meat from companies that are linked to destruction of the Amazon rainforest, which is being burned and cleared to make way for cattle ranching and growing soy for animal feed.
But the retailer said it did not sell any beef, chicken or pork from Brazil, had set targets to make sure soy used in its supply chains did not cause deforestation, and was increasing its plantbased range.
Tesco also called for the Government to mandate companies to do due diligence on their supply chains to make sure food sold in the UK is deforestation free.
The environmental campaign group accuses the supermarket of pushing back the goal to end its part in deforestation for commodities such as soy from a 2020 date to 2025, and of not having a credible plan to get there.
Greenpeace raised concerns that rather than tracing soy supplies back to the farm, Tesco purchased credits to certify a volume of soy equivalent to the amount in their supply chain has been produced sustainably.
But Tesco said it was on track to deliver zero net deforestation by 2020 through the certification process, and had brought in tougher 2025 targets to ensure soy was from whole areas and regions verified as deforestation free.
Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis said: “Setting fires to clear land for crops or grazing is destroying precious habitats like the Brazilian rainforest. It must stop.
“That’s why we support Greenpeace’s aim to prevent further Amazon deforestation.
“That’s why Tesco does not buy meat from Brazil.
“It’s why we will hit our target of zero deforestation in our soy animal feed through certification this year. And it’s why we commit to do more, setting tougher targets for 2025.”