K-Group's fish and shellfish statement
The importance of fish in nutrition has been emphasised in recent years. Nutrition recommendations have urged us to eat more fish because of, for example, the good fatty acids it contains. The Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira recommends that varying species of fish be eaten twice a week.
Natural fish stocks have declined due to overfishing, among other things, and many species that used to be common have become endangered. In order to replace natural fish, the cultivation of many fish and shellfish species has increased and the farming conditions of new species have been developed.
Fish and shellfish statement
The selections of Kesko Food Ltd, Kespro Ltd and K-food stores do not contain species given a red rating in the traffic light-type format in WWF Finland's fish guide (http://www.wwf.fi).
Kesko Food, Kespro Ltd and K-food stores prefer green rated species in their selections. When making decisions on the selections, sustainable fish stocks and MSC-certified suppliers are preferred.
Kesko Food supports retailers' possibilities to sell fish caught from local waters using sustainable methods.
Kesko Food Ltd, Kespro Ltd and K-food stores use special discretion for the species rated yellow in the fish guide, when considering whether to keep or include them in the selection.
Scope of application and updating
The statement is applied to Kesko Food Ltd's, Kespro Ltd's and K-food stores' purchasing of fish, shellfish and products with fish as the main ingredient.
When recommendations change, changes are made in respect of purchase agreement periods.
The statement is reviewed and updated as necessary, but at least once a year.
Compliance aids
WWF Finland's fish guide (in Finnish)
Other sources of information
In case a fish species is not included in WWF Finland's fish guide, Marine Conservation Society's website, www.fishonline.org, and possible other sources of information are used for monitoring.