During the past year, Eroski managed to exceed 1,900 tons of fish with the blue MSC seal.

Eroski doubles purchases of certified sustainable seafood

SPAIN
Wednesday, January 23, 2019, 02:30 (GMT + 9)

As part of its commitment to a more sustainable food model, Eroski doubled in 2018 its purchases of sustainable seafood with MSC certification and GlobalG.A.P, which markets under its own brand Eroski Natur.

The company reported that of the more than 1,000 tonnes it sold in 2017, last year the cooperative increased its purchases to reach 2,536 tonnes. Of that total, 1,904 tonnes correspond to sustainable fish with the MSC seal and 632 tonnes with the GlobalG.A.P seal.

"This second campaign that we have completed with international certifications has been very positive and we hope during the new campaign to increase these figures as a sign of our commitment to a healthier and more responsible food model," said Eroski Health and Sustainability Director Alejandro Martínez Berriochoa.

The cooperative is a pioneer in Spain of the commitment to the eco-labels MSC and GGN (GlobalG.A.P.) for the commercialization of fresh fish, a commitment that is a fundamental support for the fishing sector that are betting on sustainability.

"Seafood with a sustainability certificate is gaining space in our fishmongers. We thus offer guarantees to the consumer that the fresh fish with eco-label found in our counters comes from fisheries and sustainable productions. In Eroski we ensure that all processes, from the origin of production to operations in store, are as responsible as possible. The promotion of a more sustainable diet is the object of our Commitments in Health and Sustainability, "said Berriochoa.

Eroski became the first and only retail chain in Spain two years ago to pass the audit of the international organization Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for the certification of the chain of custody of fresh fish from sustainable fishing grounds. Certification of the Eroski fishmongers has been progressive and now reaches 361 fresh fish counters, as well as seven Eroski logistics platforms from which fresh fish is served to its entire network of stores.

During the past year, in what was its second campaign since it achieved certification, the cooperative managed to exceed 1,900 tonnes of fish with the blue MSC seal of sustainable fishing that includes species such as anchovy, northern bonito, lobster , desalted cod and surimi. Another species that sells with this seal is the Bakalao Skrei, with which the season starts in the coming days at the fishmonger's counters of their establishments.

Likewise, more than half a year ago, Eroski also became the first distribution chain in Spain and second in Europe to surpass the globalG.A.P certified aquaculture chain of custody audit, which certifies that the species sold in their fishmongers from this type of breeding have been produced safely and sustainably. Since then, Eroski has purchased 632 tonnes of seabream, croaker, sea bass, turbot and salmon with the GGN seal (GlobalG.A.P. Number).

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