Wal-Mart Commits To Sustainable Seafood Procurement

Editor's note: Let's hope that this is going to actually elicit change...As the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart buys and sells tens of thousands of consumer products originating from all corners of the globe which is creating increased demand for the raw materials to manufacture these items. Recently, CEO Lee Scott gave a speech on how Wal-Mart could work with its suppliers to conduct business in a more sustainable manner. Wal-Mart has reached out to Conservation International and others for guidance on integrating sustainability into its multiple supply chains. Based on this information, Wal-Mart has moved quickly to improve how the company purchases its seafood. Prior to announcing in November 2005, the company's intention to purchase farmed shrimp certified to standards established by the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), Wal-Mart requested that CI provide input on the environmental aspects of GAA's farm-level standard. Wal-Mart encouraged GAA to adopt many of our recommendations, which strengthened the environmental sections of this standardu"especially with regard to the protection of coastal wetlands...