Mars Pet Nutrition has achieved one goal of its $1 billion Sustainable in a Generation Plan initiative on June 7: all fish used in the company’s products are caught sustainably and within Europe.
Mars Pet Nutrition’s brands that now uses sustainably sourced fish are Sheba®, Whiskas®, Pedigree®, Cesar®, Perfect Fit®, Dreamies®, Crave™, James Wellbeloved™, Chappie® and Kitekat®.
“At Mars Petcare, everything we do is focused on our purpose: a better world for pets – and a better world is a more sustainable world, for pets, people and the planet,” commented Deri Watkins, regional president at Mars Pet Nutrition Europe. “Mars Pet Nutrition uses fish in its portfolio of pet food products as it enables pets to enjoy nutritionally balanced, healthy, and high-quality pet food. While our business accounts for a small share of the global seafood market, we continue to play our part in supporting a healthy future for ocean ecosystems and the seafood sector helping all to grow and thrive in a responsible way.”
Mars invented a sustainable fishing program with special social, ethical and requirements including the sourcing from certified fisheries to keep biodiversity. All fish suppliers of Mars have to adhere to Mars Supplier Code of Conduct. Furthermore, Mars cooperates with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to save endangered fish species listed by International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN).
“Mars has been instrumental in the seafood sustainability movement as one of the first WWF partners to commit to more sustainable pet food supply chain,” said Michael Griff, director for ocean markets at WWF. “We are thrilled to see the progress Mars Petcare has achieved in its journey to ensure better sourcing practices across its global operations. We will continue to work together to reduce pressure on our oceans and preserve its resources for resilient ecosystems and prosperous coastal communities.”
On June 8, Mars revealed the increase of 15% to 96% using sustainable fish.
“We’re proud that our procurement teams are sourcing more sustainably sourced fish — this work delivers on our commitments and benefits the planet and its pets,” said Paul Gardner, chief procurement officer of Mars Petcare. “We will continue to strengthen our efforts and invest in sustainable fisheries together with our partner WWF in the years to come.”
Steplessly reworking its guidelines and getting support from WWF and other fishery experts, the company aims to achieve 100 % sustainable sourcing.
With the company’s Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs), Mars shows that ist wants to achieve better conditions not only in its own supply chain but in global fisheries as well along with WWF. Many investors and stakeholders support Mars‘ project while the company is trying to establish a steady financing.
“Mars has been instrumental in the seafood sustainability movement as one of the first WWF partners to commit to more sustainable pet food supply chain,” said Caroline Tippett, vice president for ocean markets and finance at WWF. “We are thrilled to see the progress Mars Petcare has achieved in its journey to ensure better sourcing practices across its global operations. We will continue to work together to reduce pressure on our oceans and preserve its resources for resilient ecosystems and prosperous coastal communities”
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