GLOBAL- The Global Salmon Initiative (GSI) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have unveiled a groundbreaking risk assessment tool aimed at bolstering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) accountability within aquafeed ingredient supply chains.
Developed collaboratively by WWF and GSI, this tool marks a significant stride towards fostering transparency and sustainability within the aquaculture sector.
Introduced to enhance visibility into supply chains, the tool empowers stakeholders to identify and address potential ESG risks effectively. While initially tailored to support the salmon farming industry, its implications extend to broader animal agricultural production sectors.
Central to the tool is its provision of a consistent framework for aquaculture companies to engage with feed suppliers, facilitating a comprehensive assessment of potential risks across the feed supply chain.
These risks encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from biodiversity loss and climate change to resource use, environmental footprint, health and welfare, nutrition, human rights, and governance.
Notably, all data collected through the tool remains confidential, shared exclusively between feed suppliers and farming companies. By leveraging this tool to pinpoint potential risks, the industry aims to stimulate innovation, drive advancements in feed ingredient sourcing, and uphold the commitment to providing healthy and sustainable food choices.
Moreover, the tool’s utility extends to assessing the scalability of future novel ingredients, empowering companies to make informed sourcing decisions aligned with strategic priorities and values.
Developed over a rigorous three-year period in consultation with GSI members, WWF, and industry feed companies, this tool represents the first instance of a common methodology designed to harmonize feed data collection practices.
Daniel Miller, aquaculture lead specialist at WWF, emphasized the significance of holistic supply chain analysis, stating, “Looking at supply chains broadly and holistically doesn’t just mitigate risk; it also facilitates more informed and strategic decisions.“
Accompanying the tool’s launch is a business case document titled “Feed of the Future: Transparent and Traceable,” jointly released by WWF, GSI, and Grieg Seafood. This paper delves into the challenges inherent in feed production, outlines the tool’s development process, and shares Grieg Seafood’s experiences in implementing it within its supply chain.
Tor Eirik Homme, Director of Feed and Nutrition at Grieg Seafood, underscored the imperative of transparency and traceability in supply chains, emphasizing the need to assure stakeholders of responsible and sustainable sourcing practices.
As the tool enters its initial phase, continuous updates and annual amendments are slated to ensure its efficacy in driving sustainability and accountability within the aquafeed sector.
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