Would it be possible to find out why the majority of fruit and vegetables come from Spain, with all the known problems of non-compliance with standards regarding the use of pesticides and health standards. I think it would be desirable to be able to find European produce without having to consume products that we know to be unhealthy. Thank you for clarifying this point.
5 years ago
Hello PEtanQue13 Thank you very much for getting in touch with us about vegetables from Spain. Neither does Migros intend to tolerate deplorable working conditions, illegal employment and labor exploitation in vegetable production in Spain. This is why Migros is exerting its influence locally through standards, contracts, training courses and appropriate controls - particularly in the Almeria region, but also in other parts of Spain. This has led to improvements, also thanks to the influence exerted by other retailers. However, even Migros cannot guarantee compliance with local legislation in areas over which it has no direct influence. Spain is an EU member state with clear laws and regulations. It is primarily the responsibility of the Spanish state to monitor compliance with these laws. On the spot, on the farms, it is Spanish labor inspectors who carry out checks on the employment of illegal workers, and it is they who punish them with very high fines if they are found. In concrete terms, our suppliers must comply with the following standards: 1. All our suppliers are familiar with Migros' general purchasing conditions. These stipulate, among other things, that legal guidelines must be respected. 2. All our suppliers have signed the amfori BSCI Code of Conduct, thereby committing themselves to comply with the legal guidelines on social conditions. 3. All our suppliers / producers are GlobalGAP certified. (GlobalGAP = Global Good Agricultural Practices) 4. All our vegetables already come from producers who have undergone GRASP verification. (GRASP =Risk Assessment on Social Practice) While GlobalGAP includes requirements relating to cultivation, food safety, environmental protection and occupational safety and health, the GRASP guidelines regulate good social practice and other appropriate working conditions in agricultural production (e.g. employee representatives, complaints procedures, employment contracts, child labor, minimum wages, etc.). The eleven GlobalGAP and GRASP checkpoints are based on the major ILO (International Labour Organization) conventions. The results of verification are conducive to greater transparency. GRASP is a tool that enables producers to identify any social abuses occurring in the company by simply consulting documents, and to react by taking measures for improvement. Best regards Angela
5 years ago
5 years ago
Hello PEtanQue13 Thank you very much for getting in touch with us about vegetables from Spain. Neither does Migros intend to tolerate deplorable working conditions, illegal employment and labor exploitation in vegetable production in Spain. This is why Migros is exerting its influence locally through standards, contracts, training courses and appropriate controls - particularly in the Almeria region, but also in other parts of Spain. This has led to improvements, also thanks to the influence exerted by other retailers. However, even Migros cannot guarantee compliance with local legislation in areas over which it has no direct influence. Spain is an EU member state with clear laws and regulations. It is primarily the responsibility of the Spanish state to monitor compliance with these laws. On the spot, on the farms, it is Spanish labor inspectors who carry out checks on the employment of illegal workers, and it is they who punish them with very high fines if they are found. In concrete terms, our suppliers must comply with the following standards: 1. All our suppliers are familiar with Migros' general purchasing conditions. These stipulate, among other things, that legal guidelines must be respected. 2. All our suppliers have signed the amfori BSCI Code of Conduct, thereby committing themselves to comply with the legal guidelines on social conditions. 3. All our suppliers / producers are GlobalGAP certified. (GlobalGAP = Global Good Agricultural Practices) 4. All our vegetables already come from producers who have undergone GRASP verification. (GRASP =Risk Assessment on Social Practice) While GlobalGAP includes requirements relating to cultivation, food safety, environmental protection and occupational safety and health, the GRASP guidelines regulate good social practice and other appropriate working conditions in agricultural production (e.g. employee representatives, complaints procedures, employment contracts, child labor, minimum wages, etc.). The eleven GlobalGAP and GRASP checkpoints are based on the major ILO (International Labour Organization) conventions. The results of verification are conducive to greater transparency. GRASP is a tool that enables producers to identify any social abuses occurring in the company by simply consulting documents, and to react by taking measures for improvement. Best regards Angela
These are just assertions that don't hold water, and in fact, in reference to this week's ABE, there's so much vagueness that everything is obscure in this country. But tell me, why not buy tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers etc. from local market gardeners such as Gutnecht in Ried, some 20 km from the Marin Epagnier power plant? Is this too close for your buyers to visit suppliers? I can tell you that I buy my produce from local market gardeners and I'm boycotting your stalls because I don't support your policy towards our craftsmen. I know I don't account for much of your turnover, but at least I'm doing my region a favor.
5 years ago
5 years ago
These are just assertions that don't hold water, and in fact, in reference to this week's ABE, there's so much vagueness that everything is obscure in this country. But tell me, why not buy tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers etc. from local market gardeners such as Gutnecht in Ried, some 20 km from the Marin Epagnier power plant? Is this too close for your buyers to visit suppliers? I can tell you that I buy my produce from local market gardeners and I'm boycotting your stalls because I don't support your policy towards our craftsmen. I know I don't account for much of your turnover, but at least I'm doing my region a favor.
Hello PEtanQue13 We have forwarded your comment to the appropriate department. It may take some time to process. We will contact you shortly. Best regards Angela
5 years ago
5 years ago
These are just assertions that don't hold water, and in fact, in reference to this week's ABE, there's so much vagueness that everything is obscure in this country. But tell me, why not buy tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers etc. from local market gardeners such as Gutnecht in Ried, some 20 km from the Marin Epagnier power plant? Is this too close for your buyers to visit suppliers? I can tell you that I buy my produce from local market gardeners and I'm boycotting your stalls because I don't support your policy towards our craftsmen. I know I don't account for much of your turnover, but at least I'm doing my region a favor.
Hello PEtanQue13 Migros initially favors local producers wherever possible. However, the areas cultivated in Switzerland for many products are generally relatively small, and agriculture cannot produce the quantities needed to supply all our stores. Despite this, Migros regularly offers local products, depending on the season and the harvest. As a major retailer, we cannot make all the decisions we wish. Various laws, directives and bans regulate the design, manufacture, sale, use and disposal of products in Switzerland. In addition, Migros subjects every product to a thorough safety check and risk assessment before marketing it. Migros strives to find balanced economic, ecological and social solutions. Migros calls this commitment "Generation M." We invite you to visit our website https://generation-m.migros.ch to learn more about this philosophy and to get answers to any questions you may have. Thank you for your understanding and loyalty, and best regards. Angela