Thai Union Feedmill Marks a Historic Achievement by Securing Asia's First ASC Feed Certificate
On March 13, 2024, in Boston, Thai Union Feedmill, a prominent producer and distributor of feeds for aquaculture and commercial animals, achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first feedmill in Asia to be awarded the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Feed Standard certificate. This recognition places Thai Union Feedmill at the forefront of sustainable feed production within the region. The ASC Feed Standard is an internationally acknowledged certification that highlights a company's dedication to producing aquafeed in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner. The Mahachai Plant of Thai Union Feedmill was the recipient of this certificate, which remains valid for a period of three years. Peerasak Boonmechote, the CEO of Thai Union Feedmill, expressed the company's strong commitment to sustainability, stating, "Achieving the first ASC Feed certificate in Asia is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability at the core of our business operations." He further emphasized that this achievement is a crucial part of enhancing the availability of responsible feed, aligning with the Thai Union Group's global sustainability strategy, SeaChange® 2030, and demonstrating their leadership in guiding the industry towards a sustainable and responsible future. The ASC Feed Standard addresses the significant environmental and social impacts associated with aquaculture feed production and supply. It is the first standard to consider the effects of all major ingredient groups and their supply chains. To comply with the ASC Feed Standard, Thai Union Feedmill met stringent environmental and social criteria, sourced ingredients from socially responsible suppliers, and utilized environmentally friendly raw materials. Aquaculture, which provides half of the global seafood supply, plays a crucial role in addressing food insecurity for the growing global population, with projections indicating a potential doubling in size from 2021 to 2030. Through its SeaChange® 2030 strategy, Thai Union has committed to minimizing the environmental impact of its aquaculture operations, aiming for 100% of its shrimp production to minimize ecosystem impact and adhere to the best industry practices in welfare and working conditions. Chris Ninnes, CEO of ASC, expressed his pleasure at the certification of the first ASC certified feed mill in Asia, praising Thai Union for leading their seafood portfolio towards sustainability. He highlighted that this achievement serves as an encouragement for other feed mills in Asia to pursue ASC Feed Standard Certification and looked forward to further collaboration with Thai Union in advancing seafood farming practices globally. In 2023, ASC and Thai Union embarked on a collaborative Aquaculture Improvement Project for shrimp, with Thai Union committing to implement AIPs for a total volume of 15,700 metric tonnes of shrimp by 2026, marking them as one of ASC's pioneering partners in this initiative.