Trading with illegal settlements, occupied territories or undetermined settlements

Since 2009, The Co-op Group has operated a Trade Policy, outlining the circumstances under which we will withdraw trade from a state, area or settlement, where there is a broad international consensus that its status is illegal or undetermined.

While there are many disputed territories throughout the world, there are currently only two examples of areas which are illegal or of undetermined status: the Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Occupied Territories and the Moroccan settlements in Western Sahara. In line with our Human Rights & Trade Policy, we do not source any produce or own-brand products from the Israeli settlements or from the Western Sahara.

In April 2012, our Board determined that, going forward, we will additionally no longer engage with any supplier of produce known to be sourcing from the Israeli settlements.

Trade Policy: Illegal settlements, occupied territories or undetermined settlements

In line with our co-operative and democratic principles, our Human Rights and Trade Policy was launched in 2009 following a call from our members.

The Policy reflects our values of openness and honesty, and sets out our commitment to a consistent approach to human rights and trade issues.

Trade is a force for good, but in exceptional circumstances the benefits of trade may be undermined. Withdrawing trade is not a decision we take lightly, as we fully recognise that it may deprive people of an income when they are already suffering under oppression.

So, we will only withdraw trade from a state or region if at least one of the following conditions is met:

1. Where the democratic representatives of a country call for a withdrawal of trade;

2. Where there is international consensus that the status of a designated region or state is illegal or undetermined; or

3. Where there is strong evidence that trade is a contributory factor to a conflict. While there are many disputed territories throughout the world, there are currently only two examples of such areas that meet the exceptional criteria in our policy : the Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Occupied Territories and the undetermined Moroccan settlements in Western Sahara.