Mars Petcare has announced that it procures 81% of fish from more sustainable sources and confirmed that its supply chain does not include endangered fish species.
These achievements are a result of the company's longstanding efforts to sustainably source 100% of fish used in certain pet food recipes.
Sustainable Choices
The goal is part of Mars Incorporated's Sustainable in a Generation plan and demonstrates its commitment to integrating sustainability into its business and providing more sustainable choices to pet owners around the world.
In 2010, Mars Petcare set an ambitious target seeking 100% sustainable fish sources in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
The company has highlighted its progress towards this goal in a new joint report from WWF and Mars Petcare detailing work over the past decade to innovate and scale approaches to more sustainable fish sourcing.
The partners have renewed their collaboration until 2025 to advance the pet food group's sourcing goals and influence progress towards sustainability in the fishing sector.
Professor David Smith, chief marine scientist at Mars Incorporated, said, "As we prepare for a future of more than 10 billion people and more pets, a sustainable business practice which is led by science and cares about the planet and our oceans is essential."
Fish Sourcing
The group will regularly evaluate where it sources its fish, the types of fish used, and practices across its supply chain to minimise competition with the human food supply chain while ensuring that the products are both nutritious for pets and better for the world's oceans.
It is working with certifying bodies, standard setters, and experts at the Marine Stewardship Council, Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, and Aquaculture Stewardship Council on sustainable fish buying practices.
Mars Petcare is also collaborating with businesses and governments to drive change across the industry to help protect vulnerable ecosystems and drive responsible practices.
Andy Parton, global vice president of procurement at Mars Petcare, said, "Mars Petcare sources fish because we make healthy, nutritious and high-quality pet food, and seafood ingredients play a small but important role in our products.
"This effort is a key part of our broader engagement with our strategic pet food ingredient suppliers around the world as they boost their sustainability performance and as we take action together to improve environmental and social impacts in supply chains."
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine. Article by Conor Farrelly. For more A-Brands news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
