Andrew Hall Director Corporate and Public Affairs

2 Agent of the customer Retailers are not the end of the supply chain – the consumer is Consumers view us as their agent – the apple they buy from us is a Woolworths apple – our responsibility Consumers expect us to do the right thing – to safeguard their health and safety, uphold quality and increasingly, buy ethically We need to work with suppliers who understand consumer pressures and share our values Our food supply chain is built on trust – our biggest asset

3 Complex and competing issues Food miles Recycling Carbon labelling Waste Low GI Traffic light labelling Fair trade Sodium Palm Oil Deforestation Marine Stewardship Animal Welfare Obesity Value Quality Convenience Country of origin State of origin GM Local sourcing Organic Labour rights Pesticides Water Corruption Diversity

4 UK consumer attitudes to green shopping Source: M&S survey of 25,000 consumers, 2007

5 Consumer Segments Source: 2009 GMA/Deloitte Green Shopper Study

6 Co-Operative Retail Group in UK Source: Co-Operative Group research published in The Retail Bulletin, 7 February 2008

7 Consumer trends - Fairtrade 2009 sales of Fairtrade Certified products up 50% in Australia. AU$36 million in 2009, compared to AU$23 million in Fairtrade Certified coffee the most purchased product -70% of total retail sales. Fairtrade tea sales grew by 270% in 2008 and a further 100% in 2009 to AU$6 million in retail sales Source – Fairtrade Australia.

8 Consumer Trend Indicators ProductPercentage Increase in sales* Percentage of total category sales in 2009 Free range chicken33.6%6.4% Free range eggs32.0%31.7% *Percentage increases based on increased sales from 2008 – Woolworths supermarkets. Source – Woolworths Supermarkets sales data 2008 and 2009.

9 Case study - animal welfare Animal activist raid on piggery in Tasmania Appalling welfare conditions in sow stalls Industry’s own auditing processes failed Woolworths worked with not against the farmer to rectify 60 Minutes story More than 3,000 s and letters received to date Breakdown of trust right along the supply chain -consumer to retailer -retailer to supplier -industry to industry body

10 Ethical sourcing Assessment of labour practices – freedom of association, fair pay and conditions Focused on international vendors in higher risk countries Part of terms of trade for everyone Recognise inherent bureaucracy for suppliers BUT – need to reduce burden without compromising consumer commitment

11 Global approach to harmonisation Global Social Compliance Program (GSCP) - part of the Consumer Goods Forum Top 30 leading retailers in the world Vision to harmonise existing efforts in order to deliver a shared, global and sustainable approach for the global supply chain Commitment to equivalency and reduction in complexity Huge task – beyond competitive difference Open source for ethical audits Increase auditing competency

12 Local ethical sourcing – policy One principle fits all – international and local Australia has a strong regulatory framework - but problems can and do occur We need to have a system of preparedness Positive health test for any business 70 trial audits completed with meat and poultry vendors

13 Local ethical sourcing – next steps Opportunity to evolve a more risk appropriate approach Move to self-assessment rather than formal audit for domestic vendors Audits to be undertaken on a discretionary basis Ethical policy conditional in terms of trade Support equivalence locally but commitment is to the consumer We will continue to refine the agenda in consultation with vendors and the PMA