MEATing POINT Magazine: #03/ 2015

... NEWS ...
Moroccan Sardines, Mackerel Obtain
Friend of the Sea Certification
MOROCCO - Sardines and
mackerels from Merveilles des
Mers, a leading Moroccan company
specialising in canned seafood,
have positively undergone audit
for sustainable fishery and chain of
custody verification.
The certified products can now carry
the Friend of the Sea seal of approval.
The sardines and mackerel stocks
are not overexploited in the Eastern
Central Atlantic area from which
Merveilles des Mers is sourcing. Purse
seine fishing does not impact the
seabed and it is very selective. Fishing
gears comply with local regulations,
both for net and mesh size.
The fishery respects Marine Protected
Areas. All fishing vessel supplying the
factory are regularly registered and a
fishing authorisation is issued by local
maritime authority before and after
the fishing trips.
A comprehensive traceability system
is in place to guarantee that all Friend
of the Sea requirements are fulfilled
and that no mixing occurs between
certified and not certified origins.
“We share the same sustainability
vision of the Friend of the Sea
programme,” Mr Mustapha Oubarka,
General Manager of Merveilles des
Mers.
“Friend of the Sea has become a
leading standard for sustainable
seafood and this recognition provides
an important added value for our
customers.”
www.thefishsite.com
Sector to Improve Exports, Jobs
intent from the industry to capitalise
on a host of new growth opportunities
arising from the ever-increasing global
demand for food and for new and
innovative food solutions. Ireland is
well placed to meet these demands
given our comparative advantage in
producing a range of sustainable, safe,
nutritious and innovative food products.
“This modern, vibrant industry provides
exciting opportunities for educated,
innovative and entrepreneurial people
to realise their own aspirations and
drive the sector towards ambitious new
levels of growth and development over
the coming decade,” added Minister
Coveney.
Minister of State Tom Hayes T.D.
said: “Food Wise 2025 captures
the considerable complexity of the
agri food sector and highlights that
getting our future priorities right will
be fundamental to growing our most
valuable indigenous industry including
the forestry and horticulture sectors.”
Speaking at the launch Minister of
State Ann Phelan TD, commented: “I
am particularly heartened by the focus
in the report on rural diversification,
entrepreneurial development and
agri-food and marine tourism. These
elements are key to the sustained
development of rural communities
and I am now looking forward to the
implementation phase which will have
a positive impact on rural communities
right across the country”.
With over 350 recommendations,
Food Wise 2025 is very detailed.
That detail is vital. Food Wise 2025
sets out a comprehensive plan for
the development of Ireland’s agrifood
sector over the next decade.
Getting our future priorities right will
be fundamental to growing our most
valuable indigenous industry. Food
Wise 2025 captures the considerable
complexity of this sector. It underlines
its unique and special position within
the Irish economy and illustrates the
potential for significant further growth
within the sector.
‘Local Roots Global Reach’ is the key
theme of Food Wise 2025. It is a sector
unlike any other given its strategic
importance to the Irish economy, its
roots in local communities throughout
the country and its rapidly increasing
global reach.
Sustainability is a major aspect of
this report. As part of the Food Wise
2025 process, a draft Environmental
Analysis Report (incorporating a
Strategic Environmental Assessment
and an Appropriate Assessment) has
been prepared in parallel and this
environmental assessment has been
taken into account in drafting Food
Wise 2025. The draft Environmental
Analysis Report is now available on
the Department’s website and an eight
week public consultation period runs to
Friday the 28 August.
Minister Coveney concluded by saying:
“I am committed to putting in place
a robust implementation process to
monitor progress and deliver on the
ambitious projections in the report.”
www.thepoultrysite.com
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