Retailer Snapshot
METRO’s sustainable seafood commitment is transparent in terms of scope, standards and timeline. It includes the goals that by 2021:
*All of METRO’s private brand canned tuna will be from sustainable sources, meaning not sourced from stocks that are clearly threatened, developing new products from green ranked sources, and working with suppliers to improve the sustainability of the gears they use.
*All of METRO’s private brand farmed shrimp and farmed salmon products will be Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certified.
METRO has an extensive data collection program, which includes the scientific (Latin) name, country of origin, and gear type or farming method for all seafood they source. This data allows METRO to label all of its fresh and private brand seafood products with the information consumers need to make sustainable choices. To support its comprehensive seafood labelling, METRO has a training program in place for store staff that covers general sustainable fishing issues, seafood certification systems, and METRO’s sustainable seafood policy. Additionally, METRO’s suppliers must sign a detailed Code of Conduct that includes a commitment to both environmental and social responsibility.
Tweet this retailer and let them know what you like – or don’t like – about their policy. For example:
Fascinating reading all about @MetroCanadaSCS's sustainable seafood policy and excellent labelling. Next bit of #transparency I'd like to see is how much seafood it sells meets its commitment! Click To TweetSeaChoice recommends METRO improve the transparency about its procurement practices by publicly disclosing how much of the seafood it sells meets its commitment. SeaChoice recognizes that METRO is currently developing performance indicators related to its commitment and looks forward to the company publishing these as soon as possible.
In the process of developing this profile, SeaChoice corresponded with Alexandra Leclerc, Sustainable Fisheries and Animal Welfare Specialist at Metro Richelieu Inc.
Step 1: Does the retailer have a comprehensive commitment on sustainable seafood?
Overall Step Score
Does the policy include time-bound objectives for addressing environmental issues, social concerns and traceability?
The step score is based on the average of Step 1 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
1.1 Has a publicly available commitment or policy to source more environmentally sustainable seafood
Scoring Rationale
METRO’s sustainable seafood policy includes the commitment to “only sell species that are scientifically proven to be present in sufficient quantities, and whose fishing rates are sustainable. In addition, these products must come from fisheries that are properly managed and with regular scientific assessments to identify appropriate harvest limits.”
METRO’s Responsible Procurement Framework lists the following goals, to be met by 2021:
*100% of private brand farmed shrimp will be certified by Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) to at least a 2 star rating,
*100% of private brand fresh farmed salmon will be BAP certified, and
*100% of private brand canned tuna will be from sustainable sources – meaning from suppliers who are members of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, are investing in better gear technology or species conservation, have appropriate due diligence and traceability with regard to their sources, and have a public commitment to sustainable seafood.
- 0% No publicly available commitment or policy
- 25% General statement of commitment to sustainable seafood without clear objectives or timelines
- 50% Clear objective for sustainable procurement but no reference to standards and no timeline
- 75% Clear objective for sustainable procurement that references a standard with clear objectives but no timeline
- 100% Clear objective for sustainable procurement that references a standard with clear objectives and a timeline (or a timeline is not needed because objectives are already being met)
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
METRO’s Code of Conduct for Suppliers covers all the workers in METRO’s supply chain, regardless of their status (seasonal, casual, part-time, full-time; local or migrant), and is informed by recognized international standards, specifically labour rights and principles such as those set out by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Furthermore, shrimp suppliers in particular must confirm that they do not use child labour. The expectations for METRO’s suppliers are clearly laid out in its Code of Conduct, which can be found here.
- 0% No publicly available commitment or policy
- 25% General statement or stance on social responsibility
- 50% Stance on social responsibility with reference to a credible international standard (e.g. the International Labour Organization, the UN's Universal Declaration on Human Rights, etc.)
- 75% Social responsibility commitment that references a credible standard with clear objectives OR actions or expectations made upon seafood suppliers
- 100% Social responsibility commitment that references a credible standard with clear objectives AND actions or expectations made upon seafood suppliers
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
METRO’s seafood commitment includes the requirement that “the supply chain from the fishing area to the consumer must be documented to allow for informative and transparent labelling.”
- 0% No publicly available commitment or policy for traceability
- 33% General statement of commitment traceability without clear objectives or timelines
- 66% Clear traceability objectives but no timeline
- 100% Clear traceability objectives and timeline
- Scoring Rubric
Step 2: Is the retailer collecting data to support their commitment?
Overall Step Score
What information is the retailer collecting to monitor the environmental and social sustainability of their seafood products?
The step score is based on the average of Step 2 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
Scoring Rationale
METRO collect species’ scientific names for all its seafood products (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- 0% No data collected on species' scientific names (or no information available)
- 50% Some data collected on species' scientific names
- 100% Comprehensive data collected on species' scientific names
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
METRO collect country or region of origin for all its seafood products (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- 0% No data collected on country of origin (or no information available)
- 50% Some data collected on country of origin
- 100% Comprehensive data collected on country of origin
- Scoring Rubric
2.3 Retailer collects data on whether the seafood products being sold are wild or farmed - the "how"
Scoring Rationale
METRO collect information on whether the product comes from wild or farmed sources for all its seafood products (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- 0% No data collected on whether seafood products are wild or farmed (or no information available)
- 50% Some data collected on whether seafood products are wild or farmed
- 100% Comprehensive data collected on whether seafood products are wild or farmed
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
METRO collect information on gear type or farming method for all its seafood products (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- 0% No data collected on gear type or farming methods (or no information available)
- 50% Some data collected on gear type or farming methods
- 100% Comprehensive data collected on gear type or farming methods
- Scoring Rubric
Step 3: Is the retailer making responsible sourcing decisions?
Overall Step Score
Are the retailer’s procurement decisions supporting their environmental and social sustainability commitments?
The step score is based on the average of Step 3 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
Scoring Rationale
METRO uses MSC, ASC and BAP certifications, ratings from Seafood Watch and the Ocean Wise Seafood Program, and independent criteria to inform its procurement decisions (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- 0% No sustainabilty criteria used to inform purchasing decisions (or no information available)
- 100% Sustainability criteria used to inform purchasing decisions
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
METRO does not disclose this information, however METRO is working on developing performance indicators (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- 0% Retailer did not demonstrate how much of their seafood sold meets their sustainability commitment (or no information available)
- 25% Retailer can demonstrate that 25% or more of their seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
- 50% Retailer can demonstrate that 50% or more of their seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
- 75% Retailer can demonstrate that 75% or more of their seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
- 100% Retailer can demonstrate that 100% of their seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
METRO’s commitment includes the requirement that suppliers to sign a Code of Conduct to respect local labour laws, and that shrimp suppliers in particular attest that no child labour was involved.
- 0% Retailer does not work with suppliers on social issues (or no information)
- 50% Retailer does some work with some suppliers on some social issues
- 100% Retailer is very active with suppliers in respect to social issues
- Scoring Rubric
Step 4: Is the retailer transparent about their commitment?
Overall Step Score
Is the retailer making information regarding the environmental and social performance of their seafood products publicly available and are they reporting on progress against their sustainable seafood commitment?
The step score is based on the average of Step 4 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
Scoring Rationale
METRO includes all this information for fresh-frozen and private label products and is encouraging the national brands to increase the amount of information on their packaging (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- Species Latin name (the what)
- Country of origin (the where)
- Wild or farmed (the how, part 1)
- Gear type or farming methods (the how, part 2)
- 0% Retailer does not label products with the information (or no information)
- 50% Retailer labels some products with the information
- 100% Retailer labels all products with the information
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
METRO labels BAP certified products as applicable (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- 0% Retailer does not label seafood with applicable eco-labels (or no information)
- 100% Retailer labels seafood with eco-labels as applicable
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
METRO does not disclose this information.
- 0% No product procurement information has been made available (or no information)
- 50% Some seafood product procurement information (such as region and gear types) has been made available
- 100% All seafood product procurement information (including region and gear types) has been made available
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
This data has not been made publicly available, however METRO is working on developing performance indicators (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- 0% No public information on how the retailer is doing to meet their commitment
- 50% Retailer has at one point in the past reported publicly how much of their seafood sold meets their commitment by volume/value
- 100% Retailer regularly (at least every two years) reports publicly how much of their seafood sold meets their commitment by volume/value
- Scoring Rubric
Step 5: Does the retailer educate staff, customers and/or vendors about the importance of their commitment to sustainable seafood?
Overall Step Score
Is the retailer educating their employees, customers, suppliers and other key stakeholders about their sustainable seafood commitment, environmental and social issues in seafood, and the importance of traceability?
The step score is based on the average of Step 5 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
Scoring Rationale
METRO has a training program in place for store staff that covers general sustainable fishing issues (e.g. overfishing, bycatch, impacts on the seabed, etc.), seafood certification systems, and METRO’s sustainable seafood policy (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- 0% Training programs not conducted for seafood staff (or no information)
- 50% Training programs are sometimes conducted, or are available only for some seafood staff
- 75% Training programs are conducted for all seafood staff, but infrequently (less than every two years)
- 100% Training programs are regularly (at least every two years) conducted for all seafood staff
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
All METRO stores with fresh fish counters have screens that outline METRO’s commitment to sourcing healthy species, using sustainable fishing methods, guaranteeing traceability and supporting local economies (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- 0% There is no description of the sustainable seafood program in store (or no information)
- 50% This is some description of the sustainable seafood program in store
- 100% There is a comprehensive description of the sustainable seafood program in store
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
METRO’s commitment includes a requirement that all METRO suppliers sign a Code of Conduct attesting that they respect its sustainable seafood policies. METRO is also committed to working with its suppliers “on a continuous basis to ensure that they comply with [METRO’s] policies and that they continue to adopt the most responsible practices”.
- 0% Suppliers do not have to sign a Code of Conduct in relation to the retailer's seafood policy (or no information)
- 25% Some suppliers are required to sign a Code of Conduct that covers some of the retailer's seafood policy
- 50% All suppliers must sign a Code of Conduct that covers some of the retailer's seafood policy
- 75% Major suppliers must sign a Code of Conduct that covers all of the retailer's seafood policy
- 100% All suppliers must sign a Code of Conduct that covers all of the retailer's seafood policy
- Scoring Rubric
Step 6: Does the retailer support improvements in fisheries and aquaculture?
Overall Step Score
Does the retailer sell ‘Priority Seafood’ products (products that have high volume of sales in Canadian retail stores and are generally not recommended by the Ocean Wise Seafood Program) or SeaChoice Priority Species (species that enter the supply chain via Canadian fisheries and aquaculture operations with significant sustainability challenges). And if so, do they support improvement and how?
The step score is based on the average of Step 6 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
Scoring Rationale
METRO preferentially source salmon produced in: open-pen farms which are ASC or BAP certified, land-based recirculating aquaculture systems, or integrated aquaculture practices. Where possible, METRO sources salmon that are rated “Best Choice” (Green) by Seafood Watch (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- Doesn't sell product
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for farming methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve farming practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from farms that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or "Best Choice" by Seafood Watch
- Preferentially sources from farms that are ASC certified
- 0% Sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
METRO imports shrimps and prawns from farms with either BAP or ASC certification. Where possible, METRO sources shrimp and prawns that are rated “Best Choice” (Green) by Seafood Watch (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- Doesn't sell product
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for farming methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve farming practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from farms that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or "Best Choice" by Seafod Watch
- Preferentially sources from farms that are ASC certified
- 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
METRO preferentially sources from tuna fisheries that are rated by Seafood Watch as “Best Choice” (Green), which use manual and selective fishing techniques such as pole and line, and from suppliers who can provide full traceability, including the catching vessel and canning facility (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- Doesn't sell product
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for harvest methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve fishing practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from fisheries that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or "Best Choice" by Seafood Watch
- Preferentially sources from fisheries that are MSC certified
- 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
METRO’s highest selling SeaChoice Priority Species is Atlantic herring and it preferentially sources from fisheries that are rated as a “Best Choice” (Green) by Seafood Watch (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for harvest methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve fishing practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from fisheries that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or rank as a "Best Choice" (Green) by Seafood Watch
- Preferentially sources from fisheries that are MSC certified
- 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
METRO’s second-highest selling SeaChoice Priority Species is Atlantic cod and it preferentially sources MSC certified products and from fisheries which would be “recommended” by Ocean Wise (personal communication, A. Leclerc, 27/03/2018).
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for harvest methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve fishing practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from fisheries that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or rank as a "Best Choice" by Seafood Watch
- Preferentially sources from fisheries that are MSC certified
- 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities
- Scoring Rubric
METRO
Location
Quebec and Ontario
Number of Stores
942 food stores
Gross Revenue
Over $12 billion (2016)
Sustainable Seafood Policy
