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.