Last year, Marks & Spencer decided to ban the sale of red grouse in their stores because they feared a consumer boycott – it was a welcome move (see here).
This year, rumour has it that they might be thinking of putting red grouse back on their shelves, although this has not been confirmed.
It’d be an odd thing to do because the chances of a consumer boycott are probably higher this year as more and more people learn exactly just what is involved in the procurement of those grouse.
As an example of widening public awareness, this year’s social media thundercap already has a social reach of over 3 million people. That means that every one of those 3 million+ people will be seeing a message on their social media timelines (e.g. Facebook, Twitter) at 10am on Sunday 9th August (Hen Harrier Day) calling for an end to the illegal killing of hen harriers on driven grouse moors. That’s more than 3 million potential M&S customers who may decide to take their business elsewhere if M&S decide to put red grouse back on sale.
If you want to join in and make sure even more people get the message, please sign up HERE. It’s also worth noting which organisations have not yet signed up (see here).
Simply food? Afraid not. M&S will need to show, by their own strong food sourcing policy, that their red grouse have been sourced ethically, sustainably and responsibly and that it isn’t full of poison (lead). Good luck with that.
Raptor Persecution UK 
I have sent my views to M and S in advance and would encourage others to do the same. It will be tough to boycott them-but I will if necessary.
I’ve already asked but……do you have any material to promote Hen Harrier day. I’m off to the Rosedale Show in the Yorkshire Dales next month and would willingly buy a T shirt for the occasion.
Hi Steve,
HH Day t-shirts can be bought via the Hen Harrier Day website: http://henharrierday.org/index.html