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UK supermarket embroiled in controversy over fish from Zimbabwe
Lance Guma, SW Radio Africa
January 02, 2008

Waitrose supermarket in the United Kingdom could face a series of protests from activists who are unhappy at its imports of fish from Zimbabwe. The supermarket chain, which is part of the reputable John Lewis partnership, is buying tilapia fillets from a company operating in Kariba. Campaigners say the supermarket should not be flying fish for 5000 miles, from a country on the brink of starvation. Dennis Benton from the ZimVigil in London says they are planning to visit the headquarters of the company and hand in a petition protesting the imports.

Other activists are threatening demonstrations at Waitrose outlets, which stock the tilapia fillets from Zimbabwe. The company has been quick to defend their purchases claiming the fish help meet demand for mild white fish and spares endangered stocks of cod. They also claim to be supporting 'native fishermen' who are part of a co-operative in Kariba. Dara Grogan a spokesperson for Waitrose says they source the fish from a 'fair trade' supplier known as Lake Harvest which pays its workers more than the minimum wage, and provides pension schemes and medical insurance amongst other benefits.

Further investigations into Lake Harvest Aquaculture Pvt Ltd show that the company has an office in Kariba, as well as the small European country of Luxembourg. It remains unclear who owns the company. A UK Foreign Office spokesman told journalists; ''There are no restrictions on a UK supermarket stocking Zimbabwean produce.'

Newspaper editor Wilf Mbanga spoke to the UK Daily Mail newspaper saying; 'People are starving in Zimbabwe. There is no food in the shops, there is no fish to be had there for the ordinary people. 'It's incredibly cruel taking food out of the mouths of starving people. It is very ill advised of Waitrose. It is morally wrong.'

Meanwhile Dennis Benton from the ZimVigil says the group will meet on Saturday for the normal vigil at the Zimbabwe embassy and plan their protests against Waitrose.

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