Global Environmental Society

EU's organic logo

The "Euro-Leaf" appears on pre-packaged organic food products that have been produced in any of EU Member States and meet the necessary standards. The logo stays optional for non-packed and imported organic products. In addition to the logo, new labeling rules include the compulsory indications of place of farming of the products' ingredients and code number of the body that had been in charge of the controls.

 

Swiss labels

 

Coop's climate vision

The Swiss retailing group Coop has declared its aim to be CO2 neutral by the end of 2023 This means that over the next 13 years, Coop intends to lower its CO2 emissions by over 50% and then offset the rest. In its mission statement, Coop also promises to reduce its power consumption by nearly 20% over this time. Since 2010 it has been using energy from renewable sources.

 

Compensating importation by air

This logo appears on products in retailers like Coop to show that the mostly fresh products in question have been imported by air due to issues with freshness. The logo shows that the retailer has paid compensation for the CO2 emissions associated with the importation.

 

 

Forest Stewardship Council
The FSC product label shows that the raw materials used in this product come from well-managed forests. It gives the end consumer the assurance that his or her purchase decision does not contribute to the overexploitation of forests. Only products that have followed the so-called chain of custody from origin to end user as overseen by a FSC-accredited certification body can be labeled with the FSC label.

 

 

 

IP-Suisse

IP-Suisse stands for high quality farmed Swiss products, including humanely reared animals and environmentally friendly agricultural practice, whilst promoting biodiversity. All products can be traced back to their origin.

 

 

 

TerraSuisse

IP-Suisse products are sold at Migros under the label TerraSuisse.

 

 

 

 

Migros Bio

Swiss food retailer Migros has its own Bio label, which guarantees organic products exceeding the legal criteria, as well as humane treatment of animals.

 

 

 

 

  Naturaplan

Swiss food retailer COOP has Naturaplan to label its organic products, which also indicates quality surpassing the legal criteria, as well as humanely treated animals.

 

 

   Fairtrade Max Havelaar

The Swiss foundation Max Havelaar signifies fairtrade products, is a member of the international   organisation Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO), and orients itself to their international fairtrade standards. They strive to improve the living and working conditions of small farmers and plantation workers in developing countries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The facts are alarming: over half of the entire fish population worldwide is severly exploited, threatening its very existence. A quarter is already considered overfished. On the other hand, only 20 per cent of the fish population can be considered as "modestly tapped on" and only 3 per cent of the global population is quite untouched.

Fish play a very important role as food. Since 1980 the demand for fish production has almost doubled itself. In the next ten years an annual increase of 1.5 perc ent is expected. An estimated 2.5 billion people cover their demand for animal proteins predominantly or entirely with fish. More than 200 million people depend directly on fishing and its downstream branches as a livelihood.

Reports about the dramatic developments in the oceans - and the campaigns such as the one WWF is currently propagating - are making consumers become more sensible. To buy fish and seafood with a clear conscience, there are a variety of labels which help you gain some orientation:

MSC (Marine Stewardship Council)
WWF's label for sustainable fishing. Critics point out MSC's tolerance for the use of bottom trawls.

Friend of the Sea
Fishing only not overfished species with methods which minimize by-catch.

 

 

Fair-Fish
Strict rules in line with animal protection, fair trading and sustainability. So far no offer on the market yet.

Fish 4 Future
Fish and seafood products from sustainable fishing methods and aquaculture.

Dolphin-safe
Label for the method of fishing which protects dolphins; often found on preserved food such as canned tuna.

 

AquaGAP

AquaGAP is a certification programme for Good Aquaculture Practices. All aquaculture species can be certified, ensuring transparency of origin; quality at each stage of production; good aquaculture farming practices (which maintain or improve the health of surrounding ecosystems); adherence to principles of corporate social responsibility; and a commitment towards local communities.

Also recommendable are:

• Organic cultured fish - particularly herbivorous species such as pangasius, tilapia and carp.
• Fish from local fishery which use conservative fishing methods.