Starting from September, Metro plans to offer only seafood from sustainable sources. (Photo: Metro)

Metro to sell only sustainable fish

CANADA
Monday, May 24, 2010, 16:10 (GMT + 9)

Metro Inc announced on Thursday its decision to only offer fresh and frozen wild and farmed seafood products from sustainable sources. This policy will begin being implemented gradually in September and will be in effect in all its stores across Quebec and Ontario by June of next year.

"Metro acknowledges that sustainable fisheries and the preservation of natural resources are vital for future generations. The adoption of a sustainable fisheries policy is consistent with our corporate responsibility approach," said Executive Vice-President and COO Robert Sawyer.

Metro will stop selling certain threatened species and will modify its product labelling beginning in September. It will train employees to answer customers' questions on sustainable fisheries products and rely on labelling and practical advice to raise customer awareness.

The chain has developed a balanced policy that considers official scientific opinions but also all stakeholders’ points of view, including those of governments, NGOs and suppliers.

Also, to add credence to its analysis of sustainable fisheries issues, Metro has consulted renowned independent experts such as Jean-Claude Brêthes, professor at the Institute of Marine Sciences of the University of Québec in Rimouski.

"In any decision related to sustainable fisheries, it is important to rely on peer-reviewed scientific information, as is the case with [Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)] certification or the official scientific reports published by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada, as this provides the assurance of solid data," said Brêthes.

Metro's sustainable fisheries policy consists of four supply criteria:

• Procurement will be limited to species and fishing areas whose renewal is ensured given their individual stocks and catch rates.   
• Fisheries and aquafarms supplying Metro must prove they use sustainable fishing methods.
• The supply chain from the fishing area to the consumer must be documented to allow for informative and transparent labelling.
• Metro's decisions will consider local economic issues.

All Metro suppliers will have to sign a code of conduct attesting to their commitment to the above criteria.

"We will favour suppliers who make tangible progress toward the sustainable management of their activities, and who will encourage recognized standards such as the MSC. We will also continue to work with independent experts," told Sawyer.

The company will report on its commitment to sustainable sourcing of fisheries products regularly.

Metro is a leader in the food and pharmaceutical sectors in Québec and Ontario, where it runs over 600 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, GP, Super C and Food Basics.

Related article:

- Sustainable fish in stores is new trend

By Natalia Real
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print