Thai Union Feedmill, a prominent manufacturer and distributor of aquaculture and commercial animal feeds, announces its groundbreaking achievement as the first feedmill in Asia to be awarded the prestigious Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Feed Standard certificate. This milestone sets a new standard for sustainable feed production in the region, underlining Thai Union Feedmill’s commitment to environmental responsibility and social accountability.
The ASC Feed Standard certification, recognized globally for its emphasis on sustainability and ethical practices in aquafeed production, has been granted to Thai Union Feedmill’s Mahachai Plant. Valid for three years, this certification marks a significant stride towards promoting responsible feed availability, aligning with Thai Union Group’s overarching sustainability strategy, SeaChange® 2030.
Peerasak Boonmechote, CEO of Thai Union Feedmill, expressed the company’s dedication to sustainability, stating, “Securing the first ASC Feed certificate in Asia underscores our deep commitment to sustainability at the heart of our operations. This certification also reinforces our dedication to leading the industry towards a more sustainable and responsible future.”
The ASC Feed Standard addresses one of the most critical environmental and social challenges in aquaculture – the production and sourcing of feed for farmed fish. It stands as the pioneering standard to consider the impacts across all essential ingredient groups and throughout the supply chain. Meeting ASC’s rigorous criteria necessitated Thai Union Feedmill to adhere to strict environmental and social standards, source ingredients from socially responsible suppliers, and utilize environmentally sustainable raw materials.
Given that aquaculture accounts for half of the world’s seafood production and is expected to significantly expand by 2030, Thai Union’s commitment to sustainability is paramount. Through SeaChange® 2030, the company aims to reduce the environmental footprint of its aquaculture operations, including ensuring that 100 percent of its shrimp production minimizes ecosystem impact and adheres to industry best practices in welfare and working conditions.
ASC CEO Chris Ninnes commended Thai Union’s achievement, stating, “I’m delighted that we have our first ASC certified feed mill in Asia, and I congratulate Thai Union on this achievement.” He emphasized Thai Union’s proactive approach in driving sustainability within its seafood portfolio and highlighted the significance of this milestone in encouraging other feed mills across the continent to pursue ASC Feed Standard Certification.
Furthermore, Thai Union’s collaboration with ASC on the Aquaculture Improvement Project (AIP) for shrimp underscores its ongoing commitment to sustainable practices. As one of ASC’s pioneering partners in implementing AIPs, Thai Union aims to enhance the sustainability of its shrimp production, with a target volume of 15,700 metric tonnes by 2026.
