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  WWF 9 Feb 06
Unilever sale raises concerns about supply of sustainable seafood
Switzerland – WWF calls on Unilever to ensure the new owners of its European frozen food business have sound environmental credentials and are committed to buying sustainable seafood.

Unilever, one of the world's biggest fish buyers, will put most of its European frozen food business up for sale under the Iglo and Birds Eye brands but will retain its Findus branded business in Italy.

The global conservation organization calls on Unilever to only sell these businesses to companies that commit to source 100 per cent of their products from sustainable fisheries by 2010.

“Unilever’s commitment to buy its fish only from sustainable sources contributes significantly to global efforts to combat overfishing and marine destruction,” said Dr Simon Cripps, Director of WWF’s Global Marine Programme. “It’s vital for the health of our oceans that Unilever ensures the new owners of its European frozen food business make the same commitment.”

WWF is reassured by Unilever’s announcement to continue to actively support the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and promote sustainable fisheries. In 1996, WWF and Unilever formed the MSC, providing a mechanism for identifying and certifying sustainable fisheries so consumers could make an informed choice, and encourage demand for sustainable seafood.

Fish populations are declining and fishing communities around the world are suffering as a result of overfishing and destructive fishing practices. Seventy-five per cent of the world’s fisheries are either over-fished, recovering, or on the brink of collapse.

“If major seafood players don’t commit to sourcing sustainable products we’ll soon see our favourite fish disappear from our plates,” says Dr Cripps. “The mismanagement of fisheries by Europe’s Ministers and the scale of illegal fishing make continued commitment by major fish buyers and suppliers to buy sustainable products even more important.”

END NOTE: Unilever set a global target to buy 100 per cent of its seafood from sustainable sources, including the MSC, by the end 2005. They are currently at 60 per cent for their European sales. WWF is urging Unilever to commit to source 100 per cent of their products from sustainable fisheries by 2010.
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