Greenpeace lists GM-free turkeys
11 December 2000
Greenpeace lists GM-free turkeys
By FWi staff
A LIST of outlets where shoppers can buy turkeys which were not reared on genetically modified material has been issued by Greenpeace.
Of the top supermarkets surveyed, the environmental group says only Iceland and the Co-op were found to offer GM-free own-brand turkeys.
Greenpeace GM campaigner Emma Gibson said: “Most people dont know that, despite massive public rejection, GM is still being sneaked into our food by being dumped into the feed of animals like turkeys.”
Supermarkets whose own-brand turkeys are fed on GM material include Somerfield and Safeway, reports the survey.
Greenpeace says it has received a commitment from Asda , Tesco and Sainsbury to stop feeding their turkeys GMs as soon as possible.
Marks and Spencer offers free-range turkeys that are GM-free, and other GM-free brands include Kelly Bronze and all organic turkeys.
Well-known brands found to be feeding GM crops to their turkeys include Bernard Matthews, Buxted, Butterball, Brandons and Twydale, says Greenpeace.
Greenpeace has recently targeted GM feed in a series of high-profile actions.
Last month, Greenpeace delivered three tonnes of GM-free turkey feed to the Norwich headquarters of Bernard Matthews.
Days earlier 60 Greenpeace volunteers dressed as pantomime chickens invaded Cargills GM soya mill at Gladstone Docks, Liverpool.
And in a Greenpeace poll, 67% of those questioned said they were opposed to animals being fed GM material
Most animal feed containing soya used in the UK could include GM material.