Moving closer to meet its 100 per cent sustainably sourced
seafood commitment by the end of 2013
BRAMPTON, ON,
June 15, 2012 /CNW/ - (TSX: L)
- Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) has become the first retail
member of the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation
(IFFO). Loblaw's commitment to responsibly farmed seafood is
underscored by this move that will require all supplying farms to
use only IFFO Responsible Supply standard fish meal and fish oil in
their feeds.
Formed in 1959, the IFFO is the international non-profit
organization which represents fishmeal and fish oil producers and
related trades throughout the world. One of the key
objectives of IFFO certification is a commitment to responsible
fishery management, quality control and assurance, including the
traceability of fishmeal and fish oil from the producer to the
user. The commitment also includes transportation and storage to
ensure safety and to avoid endangered and illegal unreported
species.
"Responsible fish farming needs responsible feed," says
Andrew Mallison, Director General,
IFFO. "By supporting the IFFO Responsible Supply standard, Loblaw
is giving their customers the assurance that the fishmeal and fish
oil used as feed ingredients are from well managed fisheries and is
produced in safe and well managed factories. We are also delighted
to welcome them as our first retail member."
Members of the IFFO share a commitment to setting a standard for
the aquaculture value chain through the promotion of high-quality,
certified fish meal and fish oil into the diets of both aquatic and
land animals. Loblaw joins producers and trade associations from
around the world representing nearly two-thirds of the world's
production of fish meal and fish oil.
"By becoming members of the IFFO, Loblaw has made strides in
moving closer to our goal of sourcing 100 per cent of the seafood
sold in our stores from sustainable sources by the end of 2013,"
says Paul Uys, vice-president,
sustainable seafood, Loblaw Companies Limited. "As Canada's
largest food retailer, Loblaw will play a key leadership role in
bringing these responsibly farmed seafood practices to the wider
marketplace."
"WWF recognizes the importance of engaging with multiple
stakeholders to develop environmental and social standards and
voluntary certification schemes for a range of commodities," says
Dr. Robert Rangeley, vice-president,
WWF-Canada, Atlantic Region. "We see Loblaw's membership in IFFO as
an example of this and another important step in their commitment
to responsible sourcing and traceability of seafood in Canada."
As one of its 2012 Sustainable Seafood
Commitments, Loblaw has committed to begin the conversion to 100
per cent of fishmeal and fish oil used in feed to be certified
against the IFFO Responsible Supply standard for all control brand
responsibly farmed seafood programs. This commitment extends into
Loblaw control brand products where there are feeding regimes, such
as the PC® Free From products.
About Loblaw Companies Limited TSX: L
Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited,
is Canada's largest food retailer
and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and
financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest
private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and
franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees
employ more than 135,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through
its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing
Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and
services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian
consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of
its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control (private) label
program, including the unique President's
Choice®, no name® and
Joe Fresh®
brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers
President's Choice Financial® services and
offers the PC® points loyalty program.
More information about Loblaw CSR strategies and performance
along with the Company's sustainable seafood commitment can be
found online at www.loblaw.ca/csr, www.loblaw.ca/seafood and
www.oceansfortomorrow.ca.
SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited