Neil Young Boycotts Starbucks Over GM Lawsuit

Singer Neil Young is leading a boycott of Starbucks (Swiss: SBUX.SW - news) over a legal challenge on genetically modified crops.

The Canadian singer-songwriter and environmental activist accuses the coffee giant of backing an industry group, which has filed a lawsuit against the US state of Vermont, after it became the first to pass a law requiring labels on GM (NYSE: GM - news) products.

He is urging fans to spurn Starbucks over the legal move, but the chain has rejected the musician's claims as "completely false".

In a blog post entitled GOODBYE STARBUCKS!!!, Young wrote: "I used to line up and get my latte every day, but yesterday was my last one.

"Whatever you think of GMOs, corporations should not be using massive lawsuits to overturn legitimate, democratic decisions with strong public backing."

He was referring to a lawsuit filed by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, an industry group that fought a similar initiative in California.

The group announced in June it was taking legal action against Vermont's law on constitutional grounds, arguing only the federal government had the role of "regulating nationwide distribution and labeling practices that facilitate interstate commerce".

But Starbucks said in a statement: "Starbucks is not a part of any lawsuit pertaining to GMO labelling nor have we provided funding for any campaign."

However, it also added that as a chain it preferred a "national solution" on the issue.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association in a statement said that Starbucks was an "affiliate member" and not involved in policy work or the Vermont lawsuit.

A Starbucks spokesman said that "like most multinational companies" the Seattle coffee giant feels a need to "participate in trade associations giving us a voice in the industry debate about exactly these kinds of issues".

Young on his blog accused Starbucks of "hiding behind the shadowy 'Grocery Manufacturers Association'".

However, he acknowledged Starbucks had been progressive on other issues including working conditions and gay rights.

The company had also committed to reducing its climate change footprint.

US biotech companies such as Monsanto have been at the forefront of genetically modified crops, which they say can benefit agriculture and consumers.

While common in the US, GM products are banned or heavily regulated in many countries, including the European Union and Japan, due to health and environmental concerns.