McDonald's claims not to buy beef from rainforest or deforested land and usually buys locally. It says it pays staff above the minimum wage and publicises nutritional information about its burgers. Studies have shown genetic material from some GM pollen has crossed the species barrier and altered the genetic code of bees. They have shelved plans for the Terminator gene, which sterilises seeds. They say their 700 factories in 50 countries are sub-contractors but that they sign strict codes of practice.
Protesters say the company pays low wages and has profit margins that are too high.
Accused of failing to promote fair trade with Third World coffee growers. It has a recycling policy and has started best practice workshops for British farmers. Activists say the bank stores profits from such operations, helping to prop up abusive regimes.