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Contact the Co-op Bank: Doing it for
the ducks
In light of Viva!'s Day of Action against the Co-op chain of stores on
Saturday May 21, many supporters have asked about the relationship
between the Co-op supermarket and the Co-op bank. We are not calling
for
our supporters who bank with the Co-op to end their relationship
with
them. The Co-op Bank and the Co-op Food Division make their ethical
decisions separately from each other, but are both part of the
Co-operative Group. The Co-op Bank is undoubtedly the most ethical
place
to invest your money. We have spoken to them, and they have assured
us
that they do not invest their customer's money in intensive animal
farming (unlike all other banks). However, in light of this it
is sadly
ironic that the Co-op Food Division sources almost all of the
meat for
its stores from intensive units. Presently, all of the Co-op's
own
branded duck comes directly from factory-farms.
Whilst the Co-op and the Co-op Food Division operate separately, as they
are part of the same larger group, you may wish to contact the bank
if
you are a customer (please see at the bottom of this page for the
Co-op
Bank's official response). Below is a suggested letter (with contact
details below) to the Co-op Bank. Please use this, or much better
adapt
it.
Dear Co-op Bank
Account number:
I'm writing to register my profound concern at the results
of Viva!'s investigation into the Co-op Food Division's duck
meat suppliers.
They discovered dead and dying ducklings littered throughout
the sheds, birds suffering from eye infections and in considerable
distress, filthy ducks unable to clean themselves because their
water supply was so restricted and others who could not walk,
dragging themselves along by their wings. I understand that
similar conditions exist everywhere these essentially wild
birds are intensively farmed.
Whilst I understand that the Co-op Bank and your Food Division
operate different ethical policies, I find it sadly ironic
that whilst you do not invest my money into intensive farming
nearly all of the meat sold in Co-op stores comes from factory
farms.
In light of this, I call on you to use any influence you may
have to bring the Co-op Food Division in line with your own
admirable policies, and insist that they immediately end the
sale of all factory-farmed duck meat.
Yours sincerely |
Write:
The Co-operative Bank p.l.c.
PO Box 101
1 Balloon Street
Manchester
M60 4EP
Phone:
08457 212 212
Email:
customer.relations@co-op.co.uk
Co-op Bank's Official Response
"The Co-operative Bank is part of Co-operative Financial Services
Limited (CFS), a subsidiary of the Co-operative Group. The Group
is a
diverse family of businesses that includes retail outlets, travel
services, funeral services as well as financial services. Each of
these
businesses takes an independent view of how it conducts its business
in
line with co-operative values and heritage.
The Co-operative Bank is unique amongst high street banks in
implementing a strict Ethical Policy that stipulates who it will
and
will not finance, based on extensive customer consultation.
With specific regard to the issue of animal farming, the Bank's Ethical
Policy contains the following statement:
"We will not invest in any business involved in intensive farming
methods, for example, caged egg production."
This statement includes organisations involved in the intensive farming
of ducks.
In the most recent review of the policy, in 2001, 88% of those customers
who participated in the review supported this position."
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 Click above to watch Jake's story
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Please contact the Co-op to
register your protest at their involvement in animal suffering,
and ask them to stop selling duck meat.
Do you bank with the Co-op? Find out what you can do to help the ducks here
Read our
response to the Co-op's standard reply.
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 Co-op
or 'cop-out'? Prove your ethical mettle, Co-op, clear the shelves
of factory farmed ducks immediately! 
Benjamin Zephaniah
No
fair trade for ducks in the Co-op - it's time to put the ethics
back into your retailing! Save these beautiful creatures from
a life of misery and early death. Say no to factory farmed
duck.
Jenny Seagrove
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