Australian Government set to seize money from citizens bank accounts

The 'Australian Government' is now set to 'legally' seize money from citizens bank accounts without their knowledge or approval

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

After legislation was rushed through parliament, the government will from May 31 be able to transfer all money from accounts that have not been used for three years into their own revenues.

Legislation amended late last year means any account that has not seen activity within three years can be transferred into the Commonwealth's hands - previously the rule was seven years.

This will mean that accounts with anything from $1 upwards that have not had any deposit or withdrawals in the past three years will be transferred to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission and thus hundreds of millions of dollars in inactive bank deposits are likely to flow to the Federal Government from May.

The money can be reclaimed from ASIC but the process can take months.

As the new law comes into effect at the end of May 2013 banks are advising customers to make transactions as small as a dollar to ensure they are not transferred to ASIC.

Experts warn this will have a negative impact on people that may have put money away in a special account for their children’s education or decided to put an inheritance in a separate account for a rainy day.

The banking industry believes the Government's changes to inactive bank accounts legislation is just revenue raising.

Mr Munchenburg says the legislation was rushed through at the end of last year.

"A lot of suspicion at the time that the Government is rushing this through because they were more concerned about their own financial bottom line than they were about reuniting consumers with their accounts," he said.

"It was never clear to us why it had to be rushed through if it was only focused on reuniting consumers with accounts."

Mr Munchenburg says three years seems an arbitrary time limit as the Government failed to consult the industry on the change.

"I don't know why three years has been chosen over seven," he said.

"Certainly, if the Government believed that seven years was too long, we would have expected them to talk to us about what is an appropriate timeline or how to deal with accounts where people have deliberately left them alone, and then we'd avoid some of the problems that we are concerned will affect customers.”

This cash grab comes as economists warn the government is on track to hand down a $15 billion budget deficit in May as company tax receipts collapse.

Before Christmas, Treasurer Wayne Swan junked the government’s previously “rock solid” promise to produce a surplus in 2012-13. The government had also been committed to surpluses in future financial years, too.

In the UK this practice also exists and has for quite a number of years, with the exception that in Britain the dormancy period is a far greater one before assets are seized from such, supposedly, dead accounts.

While, it would appear, in Australia the money seized from such “dormant” accounts will be gobbled up by the treasury in the UK, at least, the money goes for so-called “good causes”, though decided upon and administered by the government.

The act of the Australian government, as the banking expert said, appears to be aimed at bolstering the country's finances and nothing more.

© 2013

How to make “The Dibbler”, a useful gardening tool

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Weathervane Farm blog share directions and a video how to create this gardening tool.

This tool makes creating holes in which to plants seeds with exact spacing and depth a simple task. Instead of long periods on time on your hands & knees bent over, you can do it in minutes and thus it makes this tool is a “lifesaver” for disabled & senior gardeners especially.

Click here to read the article and watch the video:
http://weathervanebv.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/garden-carts-and-greenhouse-dibbler/

Meet the man who more or less calls himself the inventor of “The Dibbler” it says and it further says that he refused to sell the concept but to let all gardeners share and enjoy it. However, this idea and design has been around in professional gardening for decades, only the pegs were wood then.

While the idea is great and especially the use of steel bolts, washers and locking nuts it a novel way, it is not this gentleman's invention and taking credit for something that has been in the ether in many different countries for years is taking things a little too far.

It has, in fact, been about, as said, for ages, but went in most places by the name of “dibber board” and is used to make holes for planting also in the garden itself and not just for plant packs.

While I am a Reuse Consultant teaching people the reuse of many items of “waste” such as tin cans for pencil bins, scoops, etc., and glass jars for drinking vessels, storage jars and the like, making coat racks from waste lumber and wine and champagne corks, it would never occur to me to pass any of it off as being invented by me. It just would not be ethical as those ideas have been in the ether for ages.

I may, indeed, sell my reuse creations based on what I teach to those that are not willing to make their own (straight away), like my coat racks made from waste lumber and corks I would never even try to claim them to be my invention, though they might, in fact, be.

Some original ideas of mine, and I knew that they, basically, were my original ideas commercially used, have been used, or should I say appropriated, by others, such as the pairing up of lost gloves that have been found, under the name of “Glove Love”, for example, who also claim it as their original idea.

Nevertheless, I have never claimed to be the inventor as the idea was, to me at least, a simple common sense one that frugal people would have done and would do. Period.

While the dibber board is a great idea and labor saving device it is not the invention of he who, more or less, claims it as such at the present day. It has been around, though a little different, for many decades if not even a century or more.

Honesty goes a long way and credit should be given where credit is due.

© 2013

France unveils measures to reduce energy use

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Even after the election of François Hollande as President of France, an energy conservation measure of the previous government will be implemented.

The Sarkozy government wanted to require shops and offices to turn off their unnecessary lights at nights and this law will now take effect as of July 1, 2013.

All nonresidential buildings will be required to shut off their lights an hour after the last worker leaves or by 1 a.m. each morning. Lights may not be turned on again until 7 a.m. or just before they open. Similarly, the lights on the facades of building will have to be turned off.

The notice that, as a joke, was once suggested to be placed at the exit of office buildings, stating “would the last person to leave please turn off the lights” is, in fact, becoming reality, just minus the sign and the physical action of the last worker leaving.

In a country famous for its many tourist attractions and whose capital city is known as La Ville Lumière – the city of lights – 41 zones and cities will be exempted.

In Paris, many places including the Rue de Rivoli, the Place des Vosges and the Avenue des Champs Elysées won’t be concerned by these measures. The famous Eiffel tower is already turned off every night after two in the morning.

According to estimates 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide will be not be emitted each year thanks to this simple measure, which will also save the equivalent of the electricity consumption of 750,000 French households.

The relatively low amount of avoided carbon dioxide emissions can be explained by the fact that French electricity is to date 85 percent low carbon: 75 percent nuclear and more than ten percent renewable energy (mostly hydro). That does not mean, however, that French electricity generation is clean energy. No one in their right mind, bar political spin-doctors, would say so.

This measure will save up to 2 terawatt hours of electricity, according to the calculations of the French ADEME (French Environment and Energy Management Agency).

And, as the Environment Minister, Delphine Batho, pointed out, this is also a public health issue as "Artificial lighting can damage sleep patterns (...) and also cause significant disruptions on ecosystems by changing communication between species, migrations, reproduction cycles or even the prey-predator relationships."

While these energy savings represents only 0.4 percent of the total electricity consumed in France, this is only a necessary first step. Let's hope many more will occur rapidly.

To conclude, this should be widespread all around the world as simple steps can have huge consequences.

A previous study has shown that turning off all the computers at the end of work days in only three countries – Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States – could save a massive $4.4 billion per year.

Anyone who, however, has been in London, for instance, at night will know that the great majority of office building will have full illumination on 24/7 despite the fact that no one, bar security personnel, is “at home”.

Turning off street lighting at, say, 1am, would also save on money. No one needs to walk the streets of London, especially the back streets, at midnight or beyond.

Such actions would not just save energy and reduce pollution associated with the production of same but also would reduce light pollution and be good for the wildlife.

In the towns and villages in the British countryside it was common practice not so long ago for the street lamps to be turned off at 11pm at the latest. But this is no longer the case and in some places the automatic shut off does not always seem to work, such as in much of Surrey, and lights are on day and night without any action being taken for days or even weeks.

It would thus be indeed good if such measures would be implemented all around the globe in cities and towns and also our villages.

© 2013

Mississippi Republicans want to prohibit towns from establishing a minimum wage

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

As President Obama pushes to increase the national minimum wage, Mississippi Republicans are digging in their heels to prevent any similar efforts in their State.

A bill currently working its way through the Republican-controlled Mississippi legislature aims to ensure that no local government enacts a mandatory minimum wage or other worker protections. Mississippi has no statewide minimum wage whatsoever (so it follows the national minimum wage).

The 2012 national Republican platform made clear that the party believes in local decision-making. Endorsing the notion of “solving local and State problems through local and State innovations,” the GOP pledged to “restore the proper balance between the federal government and the governments closest to, and most reflective of, the American people”.

But the idea that local governments might pass legislation to guarantee workers a livable hourly wage scares legislators like State Rep. Jerry R. Turner (R). His proposal, House Bill 141, mandates:

No county, board of supervisors of a county, municipality or governing authority of a municipality is authorized to establish a mandatory, minimum living wage rate, minimum number of vacation or sick days, whether paid or unpaid, that would regulate how a private employer pays its employees.

The bill claims that such a law is “necessary to ensure an economic climate conducive to new business development and job growth in the State of Mississippi.” While it notes that any debate on such matters “should be assigned to the Mississippi Legislature,” it also specifically states that the majority is “not suggesting a state minimum wage or minimum benefit package.” The bill passed the House earlier in February 2013 and now awaits action in the Senate’s Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency Committee.

Turner drew attention earlier this year for a bill prohibiting localities from establishing New York City-style regulations on unhealthy foods or requiring additional nutritional labeling at fast food restaurants.

Everywhere we see this happening, it would appear. Workers are squeezed and pressed more and more losing money in real terms while the capitalists grow richer on the exploitation of the working-class.

While it is true, in the USA and elsewhere, that the governing class has no interest, whatsoever, whatever they may claim, to improve the lot of the working-class, the GOP and their ilk seem to be in the forefront, much like their British cousins, the Tories, to make the lot of the workers worse still every day.

When we look at Britain, even though, and that only, even though one may be no friend of the EU, through European Union directives, has a minimum wage, though still no so-called living wage, the lot of the working-class still is a bad one as the cost of living keeps running away from any increase in wages.

A living wage would be slightly above inflation and keep pace with any increase in the cost of living but that is not what the powers-that-be intend too happen. They, after all, need the poor and unemployed to wave poverty and unemployment like a Damocles sword over the workers.

We do not need a new government, we need a new system, and that everywhere.

© 2013

Shell suspends Arctic oil drilling for the year

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

February 27, 2013 Royal Dutch Shell announced that it was setting "pause" on its exploratory drilling activities in the Arctic for 2013.

Shell's operations are currently under review by the federal government after the oil company suffered numerous setbacks during last year's opening attempt to drill exploratory wells in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, including running its drilling rig aground on Sitkalidak Island in southern Alaska in late December.

"We've made progress in Alaska, but this is a long-term program that we are pursuing in a safe and measured way," said the director of Shell's Upstream Americas, Marvin Odum. "Our decision to pause in 2013 will give us time to ensure the readiness of all our equipment and people following the drilling season in 2012." In all, Shell has spent $4.5 billion on drilling in the Arctic.

But environmentalists see Shell's decision as further vindication that drilling in the Arctic was a bad idea to begin with, and that Shell – despite assurances – was in no way prepared for Arctic conditions.

"This is the first thing Shell's done right in Alaska – calling it quits," Phil Radford, Greenpeace USA Executive Director, said.

"Shell was supposed to be the best of the best, but the long list of mishaps and near-disasters is a clear indication even the 'best' companies can't succeed in Arctic drilling. Secretary Salazar and President Obama gave drilling a chance; now the responsible decision is to make Arctic drilling off limits, forever."

Environmental groups have long been critical of the Obama Administration for giving Shell the go-ahead in the first place.

"With no infrastructure or ability to clean up an oil spill in ice and Shell's continual laundry lists of mishaps and failures, it is a no brainer to suspend drilling in the Arctic," said Cindy Shogan, Executive Director of the Alaska Wilderness League. "If President Obama truly wants to address his climate change legacy, saying no to Arctic Ocean drilling would be a huge first step."

The Arctic is undergoing vast ecological changes, as global warming from fossil fuels heats up the region about twice as much as the rest of the world. Seasonal arctic sea ice is shrinking – with a new record set last year for ice extent – while wildlife and local people attempt to adapt to rapid changes.

Global warming aside, however, drilling for oil, much like the exploitation of the Athabascan Tar Sand, and fracking for gas and oil, is a dangerous idea and detrimental for the environment.

We must simply get away from our love affair, aka dependence on oil, gas and coal, and look at renewables, including creating natural gas, aka methane, via digesters and such efforts, to use that gas, as it is being done already in countries such as Germany. It can be done because it is being done.

The excuses by the British government, as well as the US and Canadian governments, that it could not work in our countries is a lie and they know it. It is all about keeping deep in the pockets of the oil, gas and coal industry for it is they that pay nice facilitation payments to many of the politicians that are always coming up with those excuses.

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, caused by BP, should have given all an idea as to how dangerous oil drilling and production in in environmental sensitive area and that we must find alternatives to oil.

With the reserves of oil in the Arabian sands running out, and also in other places where it was more or less easy to extract oil, those areas of deep sea drilling, and others, are too expensive and that in more than one sense of the word.

The oil will be thus that most will not be able to afford the gasoline and other products made from it and on an environmental scale it is a disaster waiting to happen. The answer is there but the powers-that-be do not want to see it. No money in it for them.

© 2013

Communities of Resistance Teach-in in Salt Lake City, March16-17

By Deep Green Resistance Great Basin

A two-day teach-in focused on community organizing, activism, direct action, and issues facing Utah communities comes to Salt Lake City the weekend of March 16th and 17th.

The event, “Communities of Resistance,” will feature presentations and trainings from Goshute Tribal Chairman Ed Naranjo, community organizer and filmmaker Simón Sedillo, Peaceful Uprising, Utah Tar Sands Resistance, Deep Green Resistance, Idle No More, the Salt Lake City Brown Berets, and other community organizers.

“This teach-in will be indispensable for political people around Salt Lake,” said event organizer Max Wilbert. “If we want to win sustainability and social justice, we need supportive communities that nurture a willingness to fight. This is a step toward that goal.”

Subjects covered will include hands-on training for non-violent civil disobedience, the SNWA Las Vegas water pipeline that is poised to destroy rural valleys and indigenous peoples of Western Utah, the proposed Utah Tar Sands project, and community organizing in Mexico to defend traditional peoples from logging, drug syndicates, and government exploitation.

Communities of Resistance will take place between 10am to 4pm on Saturday, March 16th, and 10am to 5pm on Sunday, March 16th, at the Federation of Mexican Clubs, 344 Goshen Street, Salt Lake City.

The organizers are asking for a suggested donation of $5 – $10, with all proceeds going to the Unist’ot’en Camp, a First Nations group in Canada that is blocking construction of Tar Sands and “fracking” pipelines across their traditional lands, and the Tar Sands Blockade, a group with is using sustained direct action to halt the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

The event is sponsored by the Great Basin chapter of Deep Green Resistance, the Salt Lake City Brown Berets, and Decolonize SLC.

Contact: Max Wilbert
(206) 395-6251
dgrgreatbasin@riseup.net

Full Disclosure Statement: The GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW received no compensation for any component of this article.

This article is for your information only and the GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW does not (necessarily) approve, endorse or recommend the product, service or company mentioned.

Watchdog Ofgem warns of UK energy price rise

UK faces rising energy prices in 2013 caused by an increased reliance on imported energy and closure of many UK power plants and generation capacity could fall by 10% as soon as April

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Bolton, Lancs., UK: Alistair Buchanan, head of Ofgem the consumer energy watchdog, has said the UK is facing a rise in energy prices over the next few years caused by an increased reliance on imported energy and closure of many UK power plants.

In an interview with the BBC he predicted it could lead to a 10% fall in capacity as soon as April.

Older power stations in the UK are being closed over the next few years as they cause large amounts of pollution and are less efficient than their more modern counterparts such as nuclear or tapping shale gas reserves. Many of these do not yet have the final confirmation needed to begin construction and are very expensive and time consuming to put in place.

He also said it is more important than ever that people ensure they are as energy efficient as possible, to minimise energy bills. The Department of Energy and Climate Change added, “We cannot afford to be complacent."

Mike O’Connor of Consumer Focus, warned those who can least afford energy price rises will be the worst hit. He said the government has to take action to “protect the most vulnerable consumers who can least afford higher prices”.

“We need to do more to ensure our homes do not leak energy and we are calling on Government to use the funds they raise in carbon taxes to insulate our houses to modern standards, saving the poorest in society money on their bills, as well cutting carbon emissions and creating jobs”.

The government's only answer to this, however, appears to be talk of needing new nuclear power stations and restarting the program of fracking for shale gas. Renewables are not seen as a viable option and that simply because the UK government is not willing to look at the examples in other countries such as, and especially, Germany.

In that country domestic solar and wind energy modules have produced more energy in 2012 than would have done ten nuclear power stations running at full capacity and those modules did that without interruption, according to reports from Germany.

This is not even considering the commercial units such as the large wind turbines, solar arrays and the power stations operating on landfill and sewage gas.

According to successive UK governments, however, while this may all work well in Germany and other European countries, this could never work in Britain. It could work, absolutely no question about it, but the will is not there to make it work as their would be no backhanders in it for the corrupt elite in Whitehall and the Palace of Westminster. It is as simple as that.

They rather allow brownouts to happen to make a point for what they are paid for by the lobby groups, new nuclear power stations, “clean” coal plants, and such like. On no account, however, clean renewable energy.

© 2013

Sustainable paving from Interpave at EcoBuild

The trade association Interpave’s stand at Ecobuild focuses on the wide ranging sustainability credentials of precast concrete paving products – particularly permeable paving for SuDS and the extensive information resource www.paving.org.uk.

Visit Interpave at Stand N1557 (on the British Precast Pavilion opposite entrances N4 and N5) to find out more and pick up the latest ‘Paving for Sustainability’ guide.

Paving for Sustainability considers a wide range of issues including precast concrete as a locally based, British industry, providing national coverage while minimising transportation and supporting local economies and communities. It also illustrates the commitments for on-going environmental investments and improvements being made by Interpave manufacturer members.

The BRE Green Guide to Specification also provides independent endorsement of the low environmental impact of precast concrete paving, particularly in comparison with imported materials. The summary environmental ratings for a range of precast concrete paving specifications – covering blocks, flags and ‘grass concrete’ units - are generally ‘A+’ or ‘A’ across the applications considered. The Green Guide also confirms that ratings for “permeable precast concrete block paving…systems can be considered to have the same ratings as their conventional equivalents”, recognising the importance of this SuDS technique.

These impressive ratings are also recognised in the Materials section of BREEAM 2011. But precast concrete permeable paving can also play a significant role in gaining credits and meeting other criteria to improve BREEAM scores in other sections, as the Paving for Sustainability guide demonstrates. These areas include protecting and enhancing ecological value (by providing a controlled source of clean water), surface water run-off (by reducing flooding and removing pollutants) and water consumption (by providing water harvesting).

The 2010 Code for Sustainable Homes also recognises these benefits in gaining credits and meeting other criteria to achieve higher Code levels.

Website

Full Disclosure Statement: The GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW received no compensation for any component of this article.

This article is for your information only and the GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW does not (necessarily) approve, endorse or recommend the product, service or company mentioned.

New Heat Logs Released by Midland Bio Energy

Midland Bio Energy has launched a new heat log briquette, specifically manufactured to achieve high temperatures with a low burn rate for use in both domestic and commercial environments - supporting The Renewable Energy Directive and the Renewable Heat Premium scheme which offers £950 to householders converting to a bio-mass boiler.

Atherstone, Warwickshire : Midland Bio Energy has introduced a new product to their already established range of briquette heat logs.

"The new heat logs are available in a 5 unit pack weighing 10kgs per pack and boast an exceptional heat value of between 18.8 - 20mj/kg",’ explains Managing Director, Andrew Brindley.

"They have a low moisture content of below 8%, are manufactured purely from clean sawmill residue with no additives and the low burn rate ensures that they will last longer than more conventional fuels."

Households and businesses who buy wood pellets displace oil and gas boilers, but enjoy a cost-effective major fuel that is becoming increasingly popular in an economic market obsessed with climate change and affected by some of the coldest weather the country has experienced for decades.

"Currently just 1.5% of UK final energy consumption comes from renewables,’ explains Andrew Brindley. "However heating equals a massive 47%. The Renewable Energy Directive has set a target for an increase in renewables from to 12% by 2020 which will in turn reduce CO2 emissions 80% by the year 2050."

Bio-mass wood pellet fuel is becoming a major fuel for commercial and increasingly domestic use after the publication of The Renewable Energy directive by the European Commission in 2009.

The directive stipulates that 15% of the Nation’s electricity be produced from renewable sources by 2020 and was supported by a scheme launched in 2011 which offered a £950 Renewable Heat Premium to householders towards the cost of a bio-mass boiler.

"I think a popular misconception with wood-pellet fuel and especially in the case of boilers is that the units require a certain amount of upkeep and cleaning, not to mention fuel storage. In reality, the experience is a lot cleaner and lower maintenance than you’d imagine, but a lot more effective at heating. Wood pellet fuel boilers are only just taking off in the UK, but have been used on the continent for years," says Andrew Brindley.

"To buy wood pellets in the long run is a lot cheaper and cleaner than standard gas or oils fuel. We are also offering these new heat logs for the exceptionally good price of £250 for a pallet consisting of 100 x 10kg packs."

"We’re aware of exactly how difficult the cold weather, snowstorms and excessive rainfall over the last few months has affected both our domestic and commercial customers," explains managing director, Andrew Brindley.

"With the inclusion of heat logs, wood pellet bedding, horse bedding and wood pellet fuel, we are increasing our personal delivery service to local customers, carrying increasing amounts for a door-to-door delivery service. Midland Bio Energy has kept stock levels at maximum capacity during peak season in order to secure supplies to customers during the coldest months of the year."

Formed in 2007 from the North Warwickshire base, the fuel suppliers initially intended to manufacture and supply the fuel products.

"We evolved very quickly after identifying a need in the market", says Andrew Brindley. "So we decided to concentrate on distribution and our online presence, making it easier for domestic and commercial customers to learn about and buy wood pellets on the internet."

Supplying fuel and wood pellet bedding products to the commercial sector and to the equine industry soon developed and Midland Bio Energy began to provide heat logs to domestic households to cope with demand.

"From the beginning, we have been supplying bulk commercial customers nationwide," explains Managing Director, Andrew Brindley. "But with the increasing popularity in cleaner living and bio fuel boilers and fires, it was only a matter of time before we made our products more accessible to domestic customers who perhaps wouldn’t have the space or facilities to store large fuel orders. Our website allows customers to purchase fuel products and horse bedding pellets online quickly and easily plus we also deliver bulk orders directly to fuel stores."

"Our UK heat logs, briquettes and bagged pellets have a moisture content of less than 10% which means you can get a higher heat output,’ explains Andrew Brindley. "We supply them in easy to store 10kg packs making them ideal for a domestic or commercial environment. We’ve always got experienced members of staff available to discuss product requirements should customers be new to using bio fuels."

Full Disclosure Statement: The GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW received no compensation for any component of this article.

This article is for your information only and the GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW does not (necessarily) approve, endorse or recommend the product, service or company mentioned.

Sainsbury’s confirms long-term milk processor contracts, further strengthening its British milk supply chain

Sainsbury’s, one of Britain's biggest milk retailers, has announced that it has confirmed its milk processor contracts for a further three years to 2017, as it strengthens its British milk supply chain and marks another step towards its wider British sourcing commitments to double the amount of British food sold by 2020.

This builds on the work undertaken over the last six years by the Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group (SDDG), which was set up in 2006 to help Sainsbury’s dairy farmers to improve efficiency and animal health and welfare, and reduce their impact on the environment. Since its inception, Sainsbury's farmers have saved over £10 million, whilst Sainsbury's has invested over £40 million in developing these relationships.

In May 2012, following an overwhelming majority vote from farmers, Sainsbury’s introduced a unique cost of production model which rewards SDDG farmers for outstanding animal welfare and environmental standards. The model also commits to review key input costs for our farmers every quarter to ensure the price paid reflects these costs.

Justin King, Sainsbury's Chief Executive said: "We are committed to our dedicated British dairy farmers and building robust, sustainable supply chains and today’s announcement is a further example of this. This is great news for our farmers and processors and is testimony to the incredibly close relationships we've built over the past six years through our industry-leading Dairy Development Group. We've invested £40 million and seen significant advances in animal welfare and environmental standards, in turn saving our dairy farmers over £10 million.

“Our vision is to build strong relationships throughout our supply chain, ensuring a fair price for our farmers, good relationships with our processors and an assurance to our customers who want retailers to do the right thing on their behalf.”

Sainsbury's 20x20 Sustainability Plan

• By 2020, Sainsbury's will source all of its key raw materials and commodities sustainably to an independent standard

• By 2020 Sainsbury’s will double the amount of British food it sells

• Sainsbury's has supported British farming for over 140 years and we continue to work collaboratively with all parts of our supply chain. In 2006 Sainsbury’s launched the Sainsbury's Dairy Development Group. Sainsbury's now also has farmer Development Groups across ten areas, including Pork, Beef, Lamb, Cheese and Wheat

• The current price of our Cost of Production model, paid to farmers of Wales, England, Scotland and is set at 31.59ppl, with the model having been implemented from 1st May 2012, following a vote by farmers

Full Disclosure Statement: The GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW received no compensation for any component of this article.

This article is for your information only and the GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW does not (necessarily) approve, endorse or recommend the product, service or company mentioned.