UK's Co-op to halt sourcing from countries with widespread rights abuses, including Israel

GENEVA

British food retailer the Co-op Group has announced that it will stop sourcing products and ingredients from countries identified as committing widespread human rights abuses, including Israel, as part of a new ethical sourcing policy approved by its board.

Under the policy, the Co-op said Tuesday in a statement that it will phase out items "clearly and solely sourced" from 17 countries of concern, including Israeli carrots, Russian vodka and mangoes from Mali. The phased removal will begin this month. The decision follows a year-long review prompted by member concerns about the retailer's role in conflict-affected regions.

The list of 17 countries of concern, identified from independent international assessments, includes Afghanistan, Belarus, Central African Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Iran, Israel, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

The policy, developed as part of the "Hate Divides Communities, Co-operation Builds Them" campaign, is grounded in three criteria: confirmation from respected international assessments, such as those by the UN, that a country is responsible for systematic abuses or violations of international law; whether Co-op's actions could make a meaningful difference; and whether they align with its integrity as a values-driven business, according to the statement.

"This policy...is a clear demonstration of our co-operative values in action, where the voices of our members have been listened to and then acted upon," said Debbie White, chair of the Co-op Group Board.

"We are committed, where we can, to removing products and ingredients from our shelves which are sourced from those countries where the international consensus demonstrates there is not alignment with what happens in those countries and our co-operative values and principles," she added.

The Co-op emphasized that the policy reflects input from its membership, which has consistently expressed concerns over global conflicts.