
ASC urges the public to have their say on draft London Food Strategy
June 25, 2018
As part of his pledge to do everything in his power to help improve food in the city, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has released a draft London Food Strategy. The plan, released in May of this year, is currently out for public consultation and aims to put good food at the heart of London’s approach to healthy living and to find a solution to some of the biggest nutritional and social challenges facing the city. All Londoners are urged to comment before the consultation closes on 5th July.
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) warmly welcomes the inclusion of sustainable seafood in the draft strategy— which commits the London Food Board to promoting only verifiably sustainable fish— including environmentally and socially responsibly ASC certified farmed fish, in line with the Sustainable Fish Cities pledge.
The draft strategy further promises that the Mayor will only serve sustainable fish in all staff restaurants across the Greater London Authority Group.
If adopted, the strategy will make a real change to public procurement policy, where it is under the direction of the Mayor, and will encourage local authorities to follow suite.
This effort builds on the good work achieved through the London 2012 Food Vision standards for food served at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It also reinforces initiatives such as the Sustainable Fish Cities pledge and the Good Fish Guide, supports the role of NGOs and promotes the use of ecolabels.
“ASC is a strong supporter of Sustainable Fish Cities, which is an ambitious campaign to ensure only sustainable fish is eaten out of home in London,” said Chris Ninnes, Chief Executive Officer of ASC.
We are delighted that sustainable fish has been declared as a clear goal for London and we look forward to helping the city meet its ambitions. Londoners buy and eat over 10 million portions of fish per week, giving them an enormous opportunity to shift demand and supply towards certified responsible seafood raised in a manner that protects workers, communities and the environment.”
The draft London Food Strategy is open for public consultation for eight weeks until July 5th and Londoners can respond by visiting www.london.gov.uk/food and following the links to an online survey. Alternatively, feedback can be emailed to londonfood@london.gov.uk.