YOUNG’S LAUNCHES FIRST CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE SCAMPI
Young’s Seafood has launched the UK’s very first breaded scampi to be made with MSC-certified sustainable langoustine – Young’s Premium Whole Isle of Lewis Scampi.
The product is a direct result of MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification for the Stornoway, Isle of Lewis langoustine fishery in April of this year. This achievement was supported and financially sponsored by Young’s, which has a long association with the fishermen in Stornoway and has invested around £1M in the fishery to date.
Breaded scampi is a traditional product first invented by Young’s more than 60 years ago. This latest version is made with whole langoustine tails landed by the Stornoway fleet and peeled at Young’s Stornoway processing facility, before being coated in breadcrumbs and packed in Grimsby. Premium Whole Isle of Lewis Scampi will go on sale in Sainsbury’s stores from next month. Complementing the Young’s branded retail product, Stornoway scampi will also be served in over 300 Sainsbury’s Cafés from 6th October
The Scottish Government also signalled its approval for the new product, with Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead saying; “This is a timely and tremendous boost for fishermen on the Western Isles. It provides spectacular proof that gaining MSC certification can open up a whole new world of trade opportunities and has given consumers added confidence that Stornoway langoustines are a top-quality product from the most sustainable possible source.
Yvonne Adam, marketing director of Young’s, says, “I was greatly impressed when I visited the Western Isles Langoustine Fishery earlier this year. The fact that exports have shot up 50 per cent in such a short space of time during the economic downturn is a remarkable success story and a real shot in the arm for the island.”
“Our new product is the direct result of a superb partnership between our Stornoway team and the local fishing fleet. Whilst the volume of MSC-certified Stornoway langoustine cannot supply our entire brand, we are nevertheless delighted that we can launch a Young’s MSC Scampi which has national distribution by working in partnership with Sainsbury’s.”
Young’s is a European leader in the drive for sustainable seafood, with its own award-winning programme called ‘Fish for Life.’ Where MSC certification is not yet available, all Young’s products carry the ‘Fish for Life’ logo to indicate that they have been responsibly sourced according to Young’s own stringent assessment process.
James Turton, director of sustainability and corporate affairs for the Findus Group (parent to Young’s Seafood), says; “The launch of a Young’s branded MSC-certified scampi is the culmination of a long association with the Stornoway fleet and considerable investment. It’s a great example of what can be achieved when processors and the catching sector work in partnership to drive for genuine improvement in long term sustainability.”
