:: FoE criticise Tesco over hardwood furniture ::

Yesterday, Friends of the Earth sent round a press release alleging that UK supermarket Tesco, a member of a group of companies that have committed to buying timber products that are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as legal and sustainable, is selling garden furniture made from illegally sourced Indonesian timber.

On reading this Earth-Info.Net felt sufficiently outraged to write to Tesco's customer service department to ask for their reassurance that this was not the case... ;)

Amazingly, I got a reply this morning saying that they preferred to use FSC certified hardwood wherever possible... so I decided to send the following letter and see what happpened...

Dear Gordon,

Thank you for your prompt and detailed reply.

I am aware that it may be difficult to ensure that all of your goods come from sources working to FSC standards and commend you for working to improve the sustainability of your supply chain.

Given the severe extinction threat to the flora and fauna of Indonesia and the problems associated with guaranteeing Indonesian supplies I still hope that you will consider using only supplies of hardwood that have been fully FSC certified.

The Orangutan Foundation have said that the Orangutans of Kalimantan, Borneo face extinction within 10 years, and Indonesia is one of the WWF's 25 biodiversity hotspots (containing high numbers of unique and severely threatened species) so prompt + effective action by companies such as your own is urgently needed and will be widely applauded.

Yours sincerely,

Matt Prescott

www.earth-info.net

I've just had my second reply... and it sounds as though they've had enough letters sent in to prompt at least a review of their current policy.

So hopefully moves are afoot!

Well done to Friends of the Earth for bringing this to everyone's attention.

P.S. Why not visit Tesco's contact page if you would also like to write... you never know your letter could make all the difference!