Waitrose has rejected a leading research body's attempts to rank its ethical policies against those of its supermarket competitors. The other big supermarkets have agreed to take part in the new annual Race to the Top independent annual monitor of ethics, said the International Institute for Environment and Development. But a Waitrose spokesman said: "Food is a long-term thing, not a race. Why is everyone obliged to compete? Waitrose's ethical record is excellent. We do things differently." The non-profit IIED research agency secured Defra and private funding to get the project off the ground. IIED research associate Tom Fox said: "The monitor will give supermarkets the incentive to be more proactive on ethics in relationships across the food chain." The Co-op, M&S, Safeway and Somerfield have confirmed they will take part. Asda, Iceland, Morrisons, Sainsbury and Tesco, are finalising their submissions. Supermarkets will be marked in seven key areas, including environmental friendliness, giving a fair deal to farmers, supporting local communities, promoting on-farm biodiversity, improving animal welfare standards, and increasing access to healthy food. The project first reports in 2003. {{NEWS }}

Topics