From: Kari.Andersen@marks-and-spencer.com
 To: marcus_williamson@ibm.net
 Subject: RE: Genetically Modified Cotton
 Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 12:41:54 -0000

Dear Mr Williamson

Thanks for your email.

I am pleased you approve of our decision to remove GM ingredients from our
foods, we are the only retailer who can say that all the products we sell
are GM free. 

However, the cotton fibre in our merchandise comes from all over the world
and there is no difference between the fibre from genetically modified and
non-genetically modified cotton plants. Cotton fibre is 100% cellulose, it
contains no genetic material whatsoever and for this reason it is not
segregated during the manufacturing process.

To establish a complete supply chain using non GM cotton would be
restrictive to our ranges and would therefore limit consumer choice. It
would also increase costs and prove very difficult to verify sources and
quantities.  	

While we believe there is a place for genetic modification, we constantly
monitor technological innovations which offer real consumer benefits. Marks
and Spencer has a firmly established reputation for supplying merchandise of
high quality and value for money. We employ industry experts in all areas of
garment technology who strictly adhere to the various regulatory controls
both in the UK and in Europe to ensure product safety. Although there are no
immediate plans to segregate and remove GM  cotton plant fibres from our
garments, we will continue to pursue further developments surrounding this
issue.

Our customer's views and opinions remain invaluable to our decision making,
and as a direct result we have now decided to remove all GM derived
ingredients from our Cosmetics and Toiletry products.  I hope you feel this
is a positive move for our customers and one which you will welcome.

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to contact us and best wishes for
the new year. 

Yours sincerely

Kari Andersen
Customer Adviser
Head Office Customer Services
0171 268 1873



> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Marcus Williamson [SMTP:marcus_williamson@ibm.net]
> Sent:	Sunday, December 26, 1999 1:05 PM
> To:	customer.services@marks-and-spencer.com
> Subject:	Genetically Modified Cotton
> 
> 
> Hello
> 
> I'm pleased to see that this year Marks & Spencers has finally
> eliminated GM ingredients in its food products and is on the way to
> eliminating GM feed for animals in the human foodchain. I wrote to
> Marks & Spencers about this back in 1996 - it has taken 3 years for
> you to act in removing GM ingredients! 
> 
> The next stage is for Marks & Spencers to remove Genetically Modified
> cotton, which is damaging the environment throughout the world. When
> will GM cotton be removed from your products? How long will it take
> for this to be achieved?
> 
> I look forward to hearing from you.
> 
> regards
> Marcus Williamson