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Somerfield results - Nature
- Indicator 5.1
- Indicator 5.2
- Indicator 5.3
- Overall commentary and examples of good practice
- Supermarket comments
Indicator 5.1
Issue: Environmental issues within the supply chain
Indicator: Corporate commitment to addressing conservation issues within the supply chain
No additional or supplementary information was provided
Indicator 5.2
Issue: Environmental issues within the supply chain
Indicator: Producer suppliers with retailer-supported farm environment audits and/or plans
UK producers are required to be signed up to Farm Assured standards. The company reports that almost all international suppliers conform to EUREP GAP standards, and the remainder will conform by early 2004.
Indicator 5.3
Issue: sustainable fisheries
Indicator chosen: Wild and farmed fish from sustainable sources
Somerfield reported that it has a policy for sourcing fish from sustainable fisheries and ensuring that sold fish is from legal sources, but no additional information or supplementary info was provided.
Overall commentary and examples of good practice
Somerfield has taken the decision, at least in the short term, to rely on baseline standards such as Assured Produce and EUREP GAP rather than introducing additional environmental standards within the supply chain such as LEAF.
Areas for improvement
- Reduce reliance on farm assurance schemes (in particular those operating under the Little Red Tractor logo) to ensure environmental delivery. At the present time the environmental component of nearly all the assurance schemes is weak, and by and large relies on compliance with legislation. The horticulture scheme does encourage the farmer to look to conserve the environmental capital on the farm, but it is not a compulsory element of the scheme.
- Aim to work with suppliers towards long-term improvement of standards, and provide support for the shift to more sustainable practices where appropriate.
Supermarket comments
Given the large number of suppliers within our supply chain, we feel that the best way forward is to rely on farm assurance schemes. We will work within those schemes to champion improvements including more sustainable practices. The benefits of independent inspection within farm assurance schemes means that any improvements will be delivered on all farms.
