Lidl to disclose farmed seafood sources
The Lidl supermarket group in the UK has agreed to voluntarily disclose its farmed seafood seafood sources for the first time.
The announcement was made by the Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP) which said it was pleased with the development, adding that the list of farmed fish and shellfish would be published through the organisation.
The ODP says it works towards a goal of 100 per cent sustainably produced seafood by coordinating efforts to deliver greater transparency in global seafood supply chains.
Amali Bunter, Senior Responsible Sourcing Manager at Lidl GB said:
\’At Lidl GB we are extremely proud of our commitment to sourcing 100 percent of our own brand fish and seafood from responsible sources, one of the first supermarkets to do so. By voluntarily disclosing our farmed seafood sources, in addition to our wild-caught species, through the Ocean Disclosure Project, we are pleased to commit to even greater transparency to help shape a more sustainable fishing industry.\’
Lidl GB sources eight different species of farmed fish and shellfish, including Atlantic salmon, European seabass, pangasius, and whiteleg shrimp, the most popular farmed seafood products in UK retail. In 2019, all of Lidl GB’s farmed seafood came from sources certified as responsibly farmed.
Tania Woodcock, project manager for the Ocean Disclosure Project, said:
\’By expanding the scope of its seafood sourcing disclosure to include farmed sources, Lidl GB has taken an important step toward even greater transparency of its seafood. We welcome their continued commitment to transparency and their renewed participation in the Ocean Disclosure Project.\’
The ODP was started by Sustainable Fisheries Partnership in 2015 to provide a valuable information resource for responsible investors, seafood consumers, and others interested in sustainable seafood. To date, 30 companies, including retailers, suppliers, and aquaculture feed manufacturers from Europe, North America, and Australia, have participated. Other ODP participants include British retailers Aldi UK & Ireland, Asda, Co-op Food, Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, Morrisons, Tesco, and Waitrose and Partners.
