Co-operative Group praised for responsible fish sourcing policy
The Co-operative Group has been awarded top ranking in the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) Supermarket Survey 2011, scoring 84% and earning a gold award for sustainable seafood.
The retailer was praised for its product labelling, Responsible Fish Sourcing Policy and sustainability initiatives.
The Co-operative Group does not sell any of the products identified by MCS’s “Fish to Avoid” list and all its own-brand tuna is now caught using the more selective pole and line method. In addition, the retailer follows a responsible fish policy for the sourcing of all its own-brand wild and farmed seafood.
In recent years, the retailer has supported a number of the MCS’s campaigns and has provided £200,000 to support UK fisheries to pursue Marine Stewardship Council certification.
Sean Toal, acting chief executive at The Co-operative Food, said: “To top the Marine Conservation Society Supermarket Survey demonstrates our commitment to responsible sourcing and sustainable seafood. Our Responsible Fish Sourcing Policy, engagement in seafood sustainability initiatives and the work we have done to eliminate ‘Fish to avoid’ identified by MCS scored particularly highly.”
